The death of an antifascist rapper in Greece has led to enormous marches, police raids, and calls for action against a far right group. One member of the Golden Dawn political party is being held for the murder of Pavlos Fyssas, better known as MC Killah P.
Fyssas’ death may prove to the turning point in Greek opposition to Golden Dawn. The left-wing musician was stabbed several times in Keratsini, working-class district in Athens. A 45 year old member of Golden Dawn was arrested at the scene. The recent murder falls into a long pattern of violent behavior from Golden Dawn supporters. Founded in the early 1980s, the party has long self-identified as fiercely nationalist and racist, policies that have drawn understandable comparisons to neo-nazi organizations. The past decade has seen numerous cases of assaults on immigrants, often performed or supported by Golden Dawn members. Party supporters often act as street-fighters or provocateurs – with an emphasis on violence that stretches to ranking members of Golden Dawn. Despite their policies, the last decade has seen an increase of the party’s influence to the point of their holding minority position in Greek parliament. However, opposition to the party has grown as well, and has boiled over after Fyssas’ murder.
“The blood is running, it seeks revenge”. Columns of anarchist/antifascist protestors have taken up this cry and others like it. Hours earlier, one mob that numbered in the thousands headed towards Golden Dawn’s headquarters, destroying satellite offices as they went. Clashes between marchers and police have occurred, and reports have come of injuries and arrests. But larger gears are turning – police officers have raided Golden Dawn offices, and the Greek government is currently debating the possibility of banning the party outright.
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