In Athens today there was an anti-war demonstration sponsored by the 4th European Social Forum. Anti-war protests are not uncommon in Greece, there have been tons of them since I moved here, mostly, of course, aiming at Bush's policies in the Middle East.
Now, I hate war in general, and I am opposed to the war in Iraq as well as taking any military action against Iran. If there was one place in the world I would consider supporting military involvement right now, it would be Darfur.
I accept and understand that anti-war rallies are a good way to speak out against things gone wrong in the world. I personally don't think they are that effective, because world leaders work from their own agendas, and probably couldn't care less about the millions of people all over the world who protest their agendas. But for some people the protests are a catharsis, a way to speak out, a way to do something, and I am all for people being able to do that.
What I don't understand, however, is how in every single demonstration I have witnessed here in Greece the rally turns into a mini war zone of its own. Molotov cocktails, destroying places that represent U.S. industry (like that poor McDonald's in Syntagma - it gets busted up so often, but really people, it is a franchise, that means it is probably owned by Greeks), violence and police and tear gas and flames all compound the danger of these protests. What is this about? How are you convincing anyone you are against war when your own actions are war-like? Sure, sure, I know it is usually behavior attributable to leftist, anarchist assholes - but if you are organizing a demonstration of this kind, you should know these nuts are going to emerge from under their rocks and completely undermine any message the peaceful protesters are trying to convey. And if you add the adrenaline of the herd mentality no doubt a few of the "normal" protesters get caught up in the imbroglio. Take all this under consideration and the rallies become pointless demonstrations of how "warlike" the human spirit can be.
I just find it weird how hypocritical human behavior can be. Like the Catholics who protested The Last Temptation of Christ by blowing up movie theaters (will The DaVinci Code bring about the same behavior? I hope not). Like the pro-lifers who protest abortions by bombing clinics and murdering doctors. I can't believe in a person's convictions if their actions are contrary to what they support.
I know, I know. I'm not naive, I know things won't change. It doesn't keep me from wishing they would, though.
Yes! This really gets to me too. And I think you hit the nail on the head for why people go to protests - that's why I go at least, to reaffirm for myself that I'm not alone in my beliefs, and gain strength from the beutiful sight of people coming together to speak out aginst something they think is wrong. So when a few bad seeds start to turn things violent it just sours the whole exprience.
ReplyDeleteThree things however: Both the anti- war marches I've been on (the regular, scheduled one that heppens every spring) were not violent - or at least I personally didn't see anything happen within the main event, so this stuff doesn't happen at "every single demonstration".
Second, what exactly are the organisers supposed to do to prevent the anarchists (or, my pet theory, football fans hungry for some in-between-game action) from turning violent?
And third, if you are watching the violence on TV, remember that the media feeds on sensationalism and violence, and will always focus on what may just be a handful of people stirring up fuss in a small patch of the protest, rather than on all the happy parents, kids, and grandparents proudly marching up ahead. For example, did you notice, on the news today, a shot of a cop who ran past something on fire and, rather than try to put it out, gestured for a cameraman to come over and get a better shot of it?
Ughh. Sorry for the typos. Too much time in front of computer - can't see straight.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that these protests bring out degenerate hooligans every time. Their behaviour lessens the impact of the protest altogether. Like Kassandra says...media focus is never directed at the peaceful marchers.
ReplyDeleteI also have a problem with protests and protesters because they only seem to protest America's actions. Russia waged a 10 year war on Afghanistan and I don't remember any protests outside Russian embassies. I don't see any protests staged outside Sudanese embassies for their atrocities. I believe in the people's right to protest but there are a lot more countries deserving their attention than just USA at the moment. It's about time people got enraged about them too.
I completely agree. Greeks (both in Greece and abroad) often have a knee-jerk reaction when it comes to the US. Now, I'm no fan of US foreign policy and am more often than not diametrically opposed to everything the Bush administration stands for, but I have the impression that in many Greek eyes the US can do nothing right and Greece is the perpetual victim of everyone except itself. The junta is gone, get over it. That may sound harsh, but the hypocrisy and dogma bound up with these protests can be very frustrating.
ReplyDeleteI've found this mentality also transcends politics and includes ideas of culture and society. Being Canadian, I am often mistaken for an American when I travel in Europe. Many Europeans (including the Brits) have a very superior attitude toward the New World in general that I find obnoxious.
I love Greece, but I have little patience for individuals and/or groups that avoid self-analysis. And the anarchists have really got to go away... Why does the Greek public tolerate their random and harmful protests? The Seawitch makes an excellent point about other atrocities that are largely ignored by these activists.
Dear Mel -
ReplyDeleteI'm not a conspiracy theorist by any means, but did you know that the cops KNOW WHO ALL OF THOSE HOOLIGANS ARE? They even say it on the news - "οι γνωστοί αγνωστοί" (the known unknowns) They are "βαλμένους" (someone help me with a translation here - it's along the lines of "they are put there") to cause chaos and basically a) justify the over 8,000 cops/MAT (riot squad) that were there and b) ever notice how they don't arrest any of them? They also (call this c) ) keep people of a peace-loving-nature away because they are scared to get caught up in the "επισόδεια" (episodes/riots/whatever). Oh, it gets me so mad. Anyway, ask your husband about it and let me know because he will definitely know more about it than me. Seawitch, maybe yours does too?
Katerina
You see this in Germany as well - a protest is held and the opposition shows up and all hell breaks loose.
ReplyDeleteThese hooligans show up and start a riot because that's what they like to do. Burning cars and breaking storefronts is their hobby. It makes me crazy because if there's a worthwhile protest, the message gets tainted.
zardoz says :
ReplyDeleteladies and ladies
ms MELS ,,article is quite right
why the media is not able to
focus on the peaceful demostrators
is because : the ones throwing
the molotovs are "THE POLICE"
OR "BRAIWASHED SHITHEADS"
When you dont want your citizens
to masss demonstrate against
wrongful doings in the world
YOU SCARE THEM SHITLESS,,,,,,
with the supposedly
"LEFTIST ANARCHISTS WHO WILL TAKE
AWAY YOUR BELONGINGS AND YOUR
WAY OF LIFE."
SO STAY HOME,, DONT MARCH
SAVE YOURSELVES,,FROM THE LEFTISTS
AND LIBERALS.
LADIES in my opinion,, million of
people live in police states
under democratic disguises
both in greece,, the states,,
THATS MY POINT.
ms SEAWITCH the people in greece
had a very diffucult time
with afhganistan and russians
at the time ,, yes there were
demonstrations of several thousand
people outside the old U.S.S.R.
EMBASSY,, and public opinion
was quite dissapointed with
soviets for making a new vietnam
and following the americans
bad example of imperialism,
and going expansionist.
== Z ==
Kassandra, when you mention the media twisting events to serve their purpose, I often wonder if the media ever does that to suit their anti-American point of view. I could be wrong, but could it ever happen?
ReplyDeleteOne more comment. Greeks are very suspicious of America's intentions but what if one day America is telling the truth, and Greece misses the train. Then what? Will it be too late?
ReplyDeleteAnyways, here's to all those anti-American war protestors. You may not like what you hear but hard to disagree.
Cindy Sheehan asked President Bush, "Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"
Another mother asked President Kennedy, "Why did my son have to die in Viet Nam?"
Another mother asked President Truman, "Why did my son have to die in Korea?
Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt, "Why did my son have to die at Iwo Jima?"
Another mother asked President W. Wilson, "Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?"
Yet another mother asked President Lincoln, "Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"
And yet another mother asked President G. Washington, "Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"
Then long, long ago, a mother asked, "Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?"
The answers to all these are similar -- "that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness and freedom."
zardoz says :
ReplyDeletedo i feel at peace
with the rest of the world
no...anonymoys i dont
kosovo
kuwait
armenians
kurds
iraq.........
do i feel happy
with the rest of the world....
no.. anonymoys i dont
now that
DARTH VADER AND THE STORM TROOPERS
ARE GOING TO NUKE
MY NEIGHBORHOOD
am i really free
no ....I AM NOT
to phone you anonymous
for instance without
having someone eavesdrop
AND A ZILLION OTHER THINGS
THAT UPSET ME .....
I WILL SHUT UP
IF YOU TELL US HOW PLEASE.
==Z==