No, Mr. Chrysochoidis, we will not “disperse quietly”!
March 7, 2025 – Protest
The Social Solidarity Clinic of Thessaloniki denounces the outrageous and unprovoked police violence and repression at the end of the March 7th protest in Thessaloniki against the Tempi crime. Once again, the Greek police (EL.AS.) spread fear, trapped demonstrators, and detained 32 people, including 5 members of the Social Solidarity Clinic of Thessaloniki.
Following yet another massive and dynamic demonstration, this police army—an enemy of society and of those who take to the streets seeking justice for the 57 innocent victims of the Tempi disaster—acted once again, unleashing its brutality. This protest also reflected the rage we all feel in the suffocating atmosphere of poverty, unemployment, precariousness, authoritarianism, impunity, corruption, and the collapse of public healthcare, education, and all social goods.
Tens of thousands of protesters marched from Venizelos statue, passing by the New Railway Station, and were attacked by the police at the Ministry of Macedonia and Thrace with flash grenades and tear gas. The crowd regrouped and continued in two large marches through the city. One was brutally attacked at Aristotelous Square, while the other proceeded via Agios Dimitrios and Iasonidou streets to Kamara, where they remained. The heavy police presence provoked the demonstrators, many of whom—students and young people—started a new march from Egnatia to the New Railway Station. There, they staged a sit-in protest, reading out the names of the 57 victims. They then returned to Kamara, marching with slogans and determination, without any issues.
Around midnight, a few dozen remaining demonstrators at the Egnatia–Iasonidou intersection, with no provocation, suddenly faced dozens of police motorcycles, sirens blaring, spreading fear. The police drove their motorcycles directly into the crowd, and only by chance was no one killed—though one young person was injured. Unable to escalate further, they brought in three police vans and detained 17 young people, including minors. This outrageous tactic sparked public anger, with bystanders and local residents protesting and expressing solidarity with the detainees.
We, members of the Social Solidarity Clinic of Thessaloniki—doctors, nurses, and first-aid providers—were also present. But even this was intolerable for the police. To deal with us, they sent three riot police (MAT) units and dozens of DIAS motorcycle police. Nine people were detained, including two journalists from Infolibre, five members of our clinic, and two passersby. Infolibre has already denounced the police obstruction of journalistic work (see here and here).
At the Thessaloniki Police Headquarters (GADTH), we were subjected to an absurd process called “identity verification detention,” which, as our lawyers informed us, is a “legal black hole.” A detainee in this process is neither a formal arrestee (with the rights of an arrestee, such as lawyer access) nor a free citizen (able to simply show their ID and leave). They are a hostage of the police, at the mercy of its employees’ whims.
Our personal belongings were searched, and we underwent body searches, being forced to remove our shirts and trousers in a dirty, freezing, non-private basement space—in violation of all hygiene protocols.
Our personal details were printed on a document, which we signed but were not given a copy. When we asked to see what we were signing, we got no response—only a vague assurance that it “would not be used anywhere.” (Should we believe them?)
We were released at around 4 AM, all of us left with two serious and unanswered questions:
- Why were we subjected to this illegal detention process when we all had our IDs with us?
- Is this so-called ‘identity verification detention’ actually a tactic of intimidation and political profiling?
As we have witnessed in recent protests in Athens and Thessaloniki, under the government’s authoritarianism and state violence, we too experienced another display of police power. The state, trying to instill fear to suppress resistance, is only fueling our anger. And we are furious!
We will not fear them! We will not stop!
We will not “disperse quietly”!
Everyone on the streets until the end!
Mr. Chrysochoidis, those who sow the wind shall reap the storm.
Social Solidarity Clinic of Thessaloniki, March 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ico2KgAGlro&feature=youtu.be
https://www.kiathess.gr/gr/yliko/arthra/388-de-tha-dialythoume-isixos
