Together in Europe for democracy, against racism, antisemitism and neo-Nazism!

In Greece like elsewhere in Europe, racism, antisemitism and neo-Nazism are expanding, without any strong and determined mobilization from the democrats.

Racist, antisemitic and denying holocaust speeches as well as the increasing number of violent behaviours in Greece jeopardize the fundamental values of democracy, in the very country where it was born.

This must not be considered as a “natural” and negligible consequence of the economic and social crisis that cripples the country, not only because it is essential for a democratic society to respect Human Rights, but also because the crisis will not end tomorrow.

Given today’s intolerable situation in Greece, we, leaders of the civil society, intellectuals, artists, citizens involved in the social and political life, say together and loud: “Enough!”

Enough racist attacks! Enough collusion between the police and Golden Dawn’s neo-Nazi thugs! Enough racist, antisemitic and denying holocaust declarations! Enough with the passivity of the legal system! Enough permissiveness, protection and support given de facto to the gangsters of Golden Dawn!

They only thrive on the democrats’ indifference and weaknesses.

Let us be clear: fighting racism, antisemitism and neo-Nazism in Greece does not mean fighting Greece, but fighting this ideology of hatred spreading across the whole continent.

It means being part of the great European struggle for democracy. It means supporting all of those who, elsewhere in Europe, also take part in this struggle and who need the democrats to mobilize in Greece. It means offering everyone, and especially young people, both a hope and a future, better than the unreachable horizon of debt repayment. It means keeping the European dream alive, the dream of a truly democratic continent, cleared of racism and antisemitism.

In this great and beautiful fight, Europe must commit itself, since the European policies imposed on Greece, particularly in terms of immigration and austerity, create the conditions for neo-Nazism to spread.

Greek political leaders must also commit themselves : the malfunctioning of some state institutions, the indifference and the support brought de facto to Golden Dawn feed the permissiveness that makes it possible for racist acts and speeches to multiply.

The whole society must get involved. All individuals have the responsibility to say “Enough!”, to make neo-Nazis understand that democracy imposes boundaries and that the democrats are determined to have those boundaries respected.

This is why we call on all the individuals fond of justice, freedom and equality to join us in order to express their reject of racism, antisemitism and neo-Nazism, in Greece as well as everywhere in Europe, and in order to affirm with strength their commitment to our most valuable common good: democracy.