Greek communist party (KKE) rally in Thessaloniki

Greek communist party (KKE) rally in Thessaloniki, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

The leader of the Greek communist party (KKE), Aleka Papariga was in town today to rally the faithful. It seems more and more obvious that Greece is about to enter a pre - election period. The present conservative government's slim one seat majority in parliament was reduced still further when one of the ruling New Democracy's MPs, former Aegean Minister Aristotelis Pavlidis became the subject of a parliamentary enquiry over allegations that he demanded kickbacks for handing out subsidies to ferry companies operating to the Greek islands.

It seems more and more likely that as well as Euro - elections the country will go to the polls in the near future to elect a new government.

"And was the holy lamb of God"- Jerusalem

Easter is almost upon us, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green
And was the holy lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen

And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark Satanic mills

Bring me my bow of burning gold
Bring me my arrows of desire
Bring me my spears o'clouds unfold
Bring me my chariot of fire

I will not cease from mental fight
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
'Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land
'Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land

Jerusalem

Greek general strike - April 2009

Greek general strike - April 2009, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Acrobatics in Modiano

, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

25th March parade - Thessaloniki

25th March parade - Thessaloniki, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Είμαστε 'ολοι κουκουλοφόροι τώρα - We are all hoodies now

Είμαστε 'ολοι κουκουλοφόροι τώρα - We are all hoodies now, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

The government has now amended the law so that anyone covering their face while committing a crime will receive between two and ten years extra on their sentence. This generously includes disturbing the peace, which can mean anything from rioting to speaking back to the police. In addition it is now an offence to insult an officer of the law if you have covered your face.

As you can see from these examples of legalistic buffoonery the government has lost the plot over law and order. They have resorted to ridiculous knee - jerk responses as they are at a loss to deal with rising crime and a wave of political violence. What can you say about law enforcement when you read that a bank was robbed three times by the same guy who ran the kiosk opposite. Or that the present government averages one major corruption scandal every three months?

I just hope that the law concerning the wearing of masks also includes the supporters of right wing extremist groups I saw operate with impunity during the December riots. The police here in Thessaloniki seemed to have no problems with youths wearing masks and throwing rocks as long as the target was the "right one". See here for video I took of the police standing by just metres away while groups of right wingers lob rocks into the Aristotelion university of Thessaloniki.



The reality is that the government is running scared and that they have been made to look stupid by a number of lapses in security such as the escape by helicopter for a second time from the country's maximun security, Korydallos prison and the latest disturbances in central Athens which took place under the noses of the police. The sense of panic seems amost palable and I think we are likely to see a growing list of "tougher"( read authoritarian) law and order measures as those in charge seek to give the impression that are doing something.

Griots - Greek riots and protests

Griots, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Going through shots from the riots and protests in December I came across this one take on the first day when demonstrators attacked a police station in Ano Poli after their march had been repeatedly tear gassed outside the ministry of Macedonia and Thrace in Thessaloniki.

Demonstration against the grenade attack on the Immigrant Hangout in Athens

Demonstration against the grenade attack on the Immigrant Hangout in Athens, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Yesterday evening there were protest marches in both Thessaloniki and Athens in order to demonstrate against an attack on the Immigrant Hangout (Steki Metanaston) in the Exarchia district of the Greek capital. Last week a fragmentation grenade was thrown at the building while a meeting of Greek conscientious objectors was taking place. Thankfully, the device exploded outside the hall where the meeting was being held and no casualties were reported.

For more details on the Exrchia incident from Now Public click here.

Street protest for pedestrian rights - Thessaloniki

Street protest, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Την Τετάρτη 4 Μαρτίου στις 6μμ (και για καμιά ώρα...) διοργανώνουμε μικρό ακτιβιστικό επεισόδιο στη διάβαση πεζών Αριστοτέλους με Λεωφόρο Νίκης. Θα περνάμε από τη διάβαση σταματώντας τα αυτοκίνητα, υπενθυμίζοντας την προτεραιότητα των πεζών και θα μοιράζουμε φυλλάδια. Ελάτε, φορώντας τα γιλέκα των πεζών όσοι έχετε. Πλακάτ θα έχουμε εκεί.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=69780293101

Clean Monday - Καθαρά Δευτέρα

Clean Monday - Καθαρα Δευτερα, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Tsiknopempti - Τσικνοπεμπτη

"Tsikna is the smell of charred meat, and the word pempti means "Thursday" so the whole word Tsiknopempti loosely translates to "Barbecue Thursday," and is similar to Fat Thursday in other countries. This year, Tsiknopempti falls on Thursday, February 19th.

In the Greek tradition, Tsiknopempti (say: tseek-no-PEMP-tee) is a day celebrated with great gusto. City and town governments set up grills in central squares, musicians stroll around playing traditional instruments, and great quantities of roasted meats are consumed in the midst of the Carnival atmosphere. And it isn't only central squares in cities and towns that will be filled with the smell of fabulous meats cooking over hot coals - our backyard grills and fireplaces will be fired up as well and the countryside fills with wonderful aromas. "

From Nancy's Greek Food Blog

The bird is the word

Greek government clamps down on internet critics

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/greek-government-attempts-shut-down-internet-news-sites

Protests in Athens and Thessaloniki for K.Kouneva

Yesterday protest march were held in Athens to demonstrate against the attack on Labour activist, Konstandina Kouneva who was the victim of an acid attack in December. The 44 year old Bulgarian trade unionist is still in intensive care after having acid thrown in her face and being forced to drink the liquid.

Lawyers representing her say the attack was prompted by her work in exposing an alleged scam by cleaning companies with contracts with the state run organisations which meant that the mainly foreign born work force received slave wages.

Protests turned violent as some demonstrators attacked the ministry of labour headquarters and clashed with riot police. Despite hopes that last year's violent confrontations have died down, the marches demonstrate that popular anger has not been extinguished.

Picture from the Thursday's march in Thessaloniki attended by between 600 and 800 people.

In addition travel in Greece is slowly being brought to a halt as protesting farmers have blocked road junctions, ports and airports across the country in protest over low prices and government agricultural policies.See here for a video report from Reuters.