An update on the Greek reaction to the Turkish upheaval, describing how these traditional rivals are now supporting each other.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n
Thessaloniki, June 13, 2013<\/i><\/p>\n
Democracy, respect of human rights and liberties, freedom of speech and of self identification are fundamental concepts of human civilization. When it comes to their defense and protection, there can be no discriminations, no borders, no animosity.<\/p>\n
In recent weeks, the whole world has focused on the brave struggle of Turkish people against the Islamization<\/a> of their state and society and the restriction of their rights and liberties. Huge massive protests<\/a> all across the country broke out after the violent police raid<\/a> against a group of activists who were peacefully protesting against the plans of Turkish Government to demolish Gezi Park<\/a> in Istanbul and build a huge mall (one of dozens that Istanbul already has). At the same time, in many countries and cities of the world<\/a>, spontaneous demonstrations were organized in an attempt of people to express their solidarity to Turks.<\/p>\n Greek response to the call for solidarity was impressive. Just one day after everything started in Istanbul, Greek people expressed their support by participating in a demonstration outside the Turkish Embassy in Athens<\/a>. Despite the rain, dozens of Athenians, expressed their support with Turks on June 1st<\/sup>, 2013. On June 3rd<\/sup>, there was one more solidarity protest in Athens with hundreds of participators. On June 2nd<\/sup>, a massive demonstration was organized in Thessaloniki<\/a>. In the epicenter of the gathering there was a group of Turkish students who were shouting quotes in Turkish: \u201cHer yer taksim her yer direni\u015f\u201d (everywhere is Taksim, everywhere is resistance), \u201ch\u00fck\u00fcmet istifa\u201d (government resign), \u201cfa\u015fizme kar\u015f\u0131 omuz omuza\u201d (stand shoulder to shoulder against fascism), \u201cTayyip baksana, ka\u00e7 ki\u015fiyiz saysana\u201d (Tayyip look at us, count how many we are).<\/p>\n \u201cFrom Thessaloniki, hello Tayyip, long live the revolution\u201d, \u201cOccupy Taksim, occupy everywhere\u201d, \u201cIt\u2019s not just about Gezi Park, it\u2019s about human rights\u201d, \u201cR.I.P. Turkish media\u201d, \u201cSolidarity to Turkish protestors\u201d, \u201cTrees not buildings, schools not camis [mosques], raki<\/a> not ayran<\/a>, democracy not fascism, Turkey not Dubai\u201d and \u201cChemical Tayyip\u201d were some of the things one could see and hear during the protest. A protest full of people, colors and sounds.<\/p>\n Before the march in Athens started, a group of Greek actors played a small theatrical act, in the middle of the gathering. Its theme was \u201ccensorship and freedom of speech.\u201d Dressed in black, they conveyed the message: \u201cDon\u2019t stop me! Let me speak!\u201d The protest march headed to the Turkish Embassy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Police prevented protestors from reaching the building of the Embassy. The momentum however, was unique. Greek and Turkish people who are \u201csupposed to be\u201d enemies<\/a> proved once again that they can come together, support each other. They can unite, they can fight together for freedom and democracy and they help each other in difficulties (as it happened during the earthquakes in Greece and Turkey in 1999<\/a>). There is a bright future ahead\u2026<\/p>\n