BBC News reports that Greek police intervened against activists with the
ultra-right Golden Dawn party in Athens today who were distributing free
groceries. The party, which is resolutely anti-immigrant, had announced the
giveaway was intended exclusively for Greeks.
Riot police intervened against the provocative initiative using tear gas. The
event was held on Syntagma Square, the headquarters of the Greek Parliament.
Activists allegedly continued the distribution in other parts of the city after
the police intervention.
The party distributed groceries from a parked truck on the occasion of Greek
Orthodox Easter this weekend. During previous such events party activists have
asked those receiving their gifts to show identification proving they are Greek.
Mayor of Athens Jorgos Kaminis emphasized that no political party was
permitted to misuse the public square for such purposes. He called the police
intervention a “victory for the democratic state”. In the past the Greek
authorities have been criticized for ignoring racially motivated crimes.
Golden Dawn was originally a small neo-Nazi group which has recorded a
significant rise in popularity in recent years. It is now the fifth-largest
party in the country, with 18 MPs seated in the Greek Parliament of 300.
