The Exarchia neighborhood of Athens, Greece, has a long history as an antifascist stronghold dating back to the early 1900s. At times an autonomous, cop-free zone and site of militant resistance, it is now threatened by gentrification forces analogous to the East Village of the late ’80s and 90s with heavy doses of multinational real-estate investment, Airbnb centered development, and invasive state-led urban planning. Within this context, self-organized groups are working to combat an increased police presence, fight the destruction of public space, help fight increasingly occurring wildfires, and provide mutual aid for local residents, new immigrants, and victims of recent fires and floods.
This workshop gives a first-hand view of local organizing, including photographs of recent actions, that we hope can serve as inspiration. The discussion will also address the international nature of Exarchia’s history and ways that you can support the struggle.
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