"Είναι επικίνδυνο πράγμα η γιαγιά" - Ο στίχος του Καβάφη

"Είναι επικίνδυνο πράγμα η γιαγιά" - Ο στίχος του Καβάφη, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Public broadcaster defies Greek government crackdown

Public broadcaster defies Greek government crackdown, a set on Flickr.

The sudden decision of Greece's government to shut down the state run broadcaster, ERT has provoked a nationwide wave of protest, with employees and their supporters taking over studios, despite repeated attempts to close down transmission.

Monday's decision to close down the entire public broadcasting network in Greece at midnight took the entire country by surprise. Even political insiders were unprepared for the swiftness of the closure nor the reaction of the staff of ERT who quickly occupied their own studios and transmission facilities through Greece.

However, the Greek government was in mood for compromise and even before the midnight deadline, riot police units gradually shut down transmitters across the nation. attempts by other stations to re-broadcast ERT signals were also thwarted by the private agency that controls digital broadcasting.

While transmission from both Athens continuing via the internet the ET3 studio based in the northern city of Thessaloniki is facing severe difficulties after authorities cut off telephone and internet connections to the studio. In addition hundreds of riot police units have taken up position in the area and man fear that they will be used to seize the ET3 building.

Since the announcement of the closure of ERT thousands of supporters have gathered in Athens and Thessaloniki to thwart a possible attempt by police to raid the facilities.

More photographs here via Demotix.com.

Video - Naomi Klein speaking at the Vio-me factory (in English and Greek)

Part one



Part two




Part three



Naomi Klein addressing an audience gathered in the grounds of the Vio-me factory on the outskirts of the Greek city of Thessaloniki. Part one of three.

For more information on Vio-me, which is a self-managed factory.

http://www.viome.org/

More information on Naomi Klein

http://www.naomiklein.org/main

Tariq Ali speaking in Greece

Tariq Ali speaking in Greece, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Ali addressing an audience at the Aristotelion university of Thessaloniki, Greece. Video of his speech here in English, with Greek translation.

Angry Greek consumers take over road toll booths in protest over price hikes

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Angry Greek consumers take over road toll booths in protest over price hikes, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Thousands of Greek protesters took over road toll stations across the country today in protest over government plans to raise toll prices next month. From the capital, Athens to Thessaloniki, 500km to the north tolls were raised and drivers were allowed to pass through without paying.

Truck drivers, pensioners, students as well as more seasoned political activists passed out leaflets and encouraged road users to refuse pay tolls in a new form of grassroots activism which is being fed by popular anger at the government's repeated attempts to raise revenues through indirect taxation and cut public spending.

Already between 20and 30% of highway users are not paying toll charges on a regular basis, a figure which is set to rise in the wake of proposed 50% increases.

Fans of Iraklis FC riot over relegation decision

Fans of Iraklis FC riot over relegation decision, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Fans of the Ιraklis football team took to the streets in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki. Angry over the decision to relegate the city's oldest club supporters fought with riot police yesterday evening in a series of confused clashes in which the authorities used tear gas, flash grenades and specially trained motorcycle units to break up the march.

More pictures and details on Demotix.com

Thanks to Asteris for lending me his camera. Promise I'll not lose this one and who knows he may even get it back in one piece.

Οι επιτροπές AKΡΙΒEIA-STOP! ΘΕΣ/ΝΙΚΗΣ καταγγέλλουν τη διοίκηση του ΟΑΣΘ

Οι επιτροπές AKΡΙΒEIA-STOP! ΘΕΣ/ΝΙΚΗΣ καταγγέλλουν τη διοίκηση του ΟΑΣΘ, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

"Οι επιτροπές AKΡΙΒEIA-STOP! ΘΕΣ/ΝΙΚΗΣ καταγγέλλουν τη διοίκηση του ΟΑΣΘ, που με περισσή υποκρισία κ ψεύτικη συγνώμη, κάτω από το βάρος της αντίδρασης χιλιάδων πολιτών της θεσ/νικης, ανακοίνωσε την απόσυρση της αύξησης στην τιμή του εισιτηρίου κατά 100% μέσω των λίγων γραμμών ενός δελτίου τύπου. Εντούτοις η τιμή του βασικού εισιτηρίου παραμένει αυξημένη κατά 20% σε σχέση με πριν. Επιπλέον, ενώ για την αύξηση αυτή η διοίκηση του ΟΑΣΘ ενημερώνει ακόμα και σήμερα, καθημερινά, μέσα στα λεωφορεία κ στους τηλεματικoύς πίνακες των στάσεων, η ανακοίνωση για την ακύρωση έγινε μέσω ενός απλού δελτίου τύπου, δίχως να ενημερωθούν σε ανάλογο βαθμό οι πολίτες"

www.akribeia-stop.gr/

Activists from the Akriveia - Stop consumer rights group in a protest in the centre of Thessaloniki against the local bus company. Recently OASTH (the Thessaloniki public transport company) decided to raise the cost of tickets by 20 - 100%. The most expensive change was the abolition of the right to transfer from bus to bus for up to 70 minutes without having to by a new ticket, effectively doubling the cost of longer bus journeys. After weeks of protest the bus company reversed its decision but has failed to notify anyone or change the instructions on ticket vending machines.

Greek riot police use teargas on protesters outside Thessaloniki town hall

Several people were injured and at least two taken to hospital during the riot police attempts to breaks up a demonstration outside a town hall in Greece's second city, Thessaloniki.

According to eye witness reports relayed via Twitter two women bystanders needed medical assistance for respiratory problems following the police's use of tear gas and pepper spray.

The demonstration was over government plans to reorganise local authorities, a move opposition parties claim is part of Athens austerity measures and which will lead to massive job losses.

More photographs on Demotix.com

Enraged December/ Οργισμένος Δεκέμβρης - Documentary

Enraged December/ Οργισμένος Δεκέμβρης - Documentary, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Along with others I gave all the photographs and video I took during the first few weeks of the December 2008 uprising in Greece to friends who were in the process of making a documentary about the events. Their aim was to give a perspective on the nationwide riots and protests that followed the death of 15 year old Alexis Grigoropoulos at the hands of a Greek police officer in the Exarchia district of central Athens.

That video has now been finished and is being shown around the country.

As part of my on going support for the project I designed this poster and I'm in the process of translating the documentary into English.

PAME trade unionists demonstrate in Thessaloniki, Greece

PAME trade unionists demonstrate in Thessaloniki, Greece, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

About 1000 members of the PAME trade union demonstrated in the northern port city of Thessaloniki, part of a nationwide wave of protests in Greece against the government's austerity measures.

Καλή Ανάσταση - Happy Easter

Καλή Ανάσταση - Happy Easter, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Easter in Greece

Easter in Greece, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Threatened today by ET3 camerman for taking pictures at demo

I'm not sure if I have a nose for trouble or it has a nose for me. Less than 24 hours after I bought a replacement for my stolen video camera I managed to get hassled for taking pictures. This is a personal best as far as new equipment is concerned as usually, it takes weeks before that happens.

On the way to work today I happened to come across a protest by ambulance crews and fire fighters outside the ex-ministry of Macedonia and Thrace. Not wishing to miss an opportunity to cover a story I parked up and decided to video what was happening and talk to those taking part to find out their demands.

Just minutes after I raised my video camera an aggressive cameraman from the local ET3 (ΕΤ3) TV station came up demanding to know what I was doing there and asking f I was a journalist. Not wishing to discuss the finer points of citizen journalism versus mainstream journalism I just answered yes. At this point he started to get very angry and demanded that I showed him my "professional licence". To which I replied that he could go to hell and that I was not going to show him anything. The next thing I know he and soundman are screaming that they are going to call the cops, which they promptly did.

However, it looked like the police didn't want to get involved and so I took the opportunity to duck out as the last thing I needed was to spend hours answering questions in a police station when I had to be at work.

I've been repeatedly threatened by the police and often by protesters on demos but never by the media. A first time for everything.

PAOK FC fans protest ban on them going to away matches- Thessaloniki, Greece

PAOK FC fans protest ban on them going to away matches- Thessaloniki, Greece, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Saturn stores's astronomical prices - Thessaloniki, Greece

Just got back from the new Saturn store opening and frankly I couldn't wait to share my thoughts. Not that it was a great experience but rather I was so annoyed that I had to get this off my chest. You'd think that with Greece in the middle of one the serious economic crises in its modern history and with skyrocketing unemployment that any new business would need to set its price policy accordingly. Nothing of the sort for our dear friends at Saturn who seems to think that the same kind of rip off prices that mark Greek retail are set to last awhile yet.

Using the classic bait and switch tactic of selling a few select items at low prices while charging premium rates for everything else they are hoping to emulate sister corporation Media Markt. Today I went there with the idea of buying a Nikon D90 camera to replace my stolen D80 only to be told a price (990 euros) which is by far the most expensive price I have come across in the last month and 91 euros more expensive than in the small camera supply shops in the centre (so much for the economies of scale).

When I expressed my disbelief the assistant went off to consult her supervisor and very snootily said that they could sell it for 40 euros cheaper. For some inexplicable reason this did not persuade me to part with my money. I, then did my usual check of comparing prices on things like memory cards, bags, video camera and laptops only to see that, with a few exceptions the prices were exactly the same or slightly more expensive than the other electronic retail chains - surprise, surprise.

The ironic thing is that there are three ambulances parked outside with first aiders on hand to supply help in the case of a mad rush of consumers. In addition there are enough security guards to repel an invading army. Not that either was much needed as business was quiet when I was there this afternoon.

Ψήφισε και ο Ψωμιάδης. Panagiotis Psomiadis, candidate for leadership of New Democracy

Ψήφισε και ο Ψωμιάδης. Panagiotis Psomiadis, candidate for leadership of New Democracy, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Giorgos Papandreou in Thessaloniki

Giorgos Papandreou, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Speaking at a press conference in Thessaloniki today. For more pictures click here;

http://www.demotix.com/news/greek-campaign-heats

Usain Bolt in Greece

Usain Bolt in Greece, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

"Usain St. Leo Bolt, C.D. ( born 21 August 1986), is a Jamaican sprinter and a three-time Olympic gold medalist. He holds the world record for the 100 metres, the 200 metres and, along with his teammates, the 4x100 metres relay. He also holds the Olympic record for all three of these races. At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Bolt became the first man to win three sprinting events at a single Olympics since Carl Lewis in 1984, and the first man to set world records in all three at a single Olympics. In 2009 he became the first man to hold the 100 and 200 m world and Olympic titles at the same time."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usain_Bolt

Usain Bolt, the world's fastest man over 100m and 200m arrived in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki in preparation for the IAAF / VTB Bank World Athletics Final this Sunday.

More pictures on Demotix.com

Cost of beating by the police - 40 euros + VAT (ΦΠΑ)

Earlier in the week I got a phone call from my lawyer saying that my case against the police who assaulted me in 2007 had been thrown out of court due to lack of evidence. Yesterday I received the public prosecutor's (district attorney) decision, all 12 handwritten pages (the typewriter in one form or another has been round longer than the modern Greek state yet these guys still write everything by hand.).

It makes for fascinating reading as do all works of fiction. A mixture of half truths, spin and outright lies which makes a mockery of my attempts to get justice for an unprovoked attack during a peaceful demonstration which ended up with me in hospital with two hefty guys trying to shove my shoulder back into its socket (don't try that at home, kids).

I won't bore you with all the details, just some of the more ridiculous claims the DA made in their statement:

- Apparently I was trying to escape after being told repeatedly to stop and answer their questions (no one said anything prior to the attack). Strangely, while supposedly running away I managed to get several pictures on the officers who attacked me.

- My alleged injuries which were documented by a iatrodikastis (a doctor who specialises in police cases) were caused by me falling down and tripping over a police officer who was chasing me. Not a fully equipped riot cop who used his shield to slam me into a lamp post.

- I provided no proof that I had suffered anything more than a few scratches and bruises since I had not had any x-rays taken. Conveniently ignoring those I had from the Agios Pavlos hospital and testimony from the doctor on duty that night.

Reading the rest of the DA's report I seem to be a strange cross between Spiderman, "he (the plantiff) made quick suspicious moves, darting from one side of the street to another" and Che Guevara, "individuals from the anti-authoritarian groups counter attacked in order to free their comrade". Not that any of this is true but is does make for a fascinating insight into their mindset.

Nowhere in the 12 page scrawl is their any mention of the fact that several eyewitnesses testified on my behalf or the fact that I had photographs of the events leading up to the incident. However, it did give an excruciatingly detailed account of the police's side of the events.

Oh, I almost forgot I now have to pay the courts 40 euros in court fees for this piece of badly written fiction. Click for the story in the Guardian

City and Guilds - Show me the money

I have decided to go public with this complaint as I seem to be getting nowhere with this. At the beginning of June I did some work as an interviewer for the City and Guilds ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) exams here in Thessaloniki. A tough weekend in which I did up to 37 interviews in one day.

As anyone who has done similar work will understand you have to follow their guidelines to the letter. This means being absolutely focused on what you are doing for hours on end with no room for error as everything is recorded. Things were not helped by the fact that at the first school I worked in we were not provided with so much as a class of water despite the fact that temperatures were 35C. Nor was there any place to get something to eat or drink in the vicinity.

To add insult to injury I still haven't been paid. I checked my bank account and they have no record of any deposit from City and Guilds and although I have sent many emails I have had no reply so far. I have worked for many other examining bodies and this is the first time I have had such problems.

Has anyone else had a similar experience either here in Greece or in other countries? I would welcome ideas about what to do next.

Latest update.

Yet more emails and still no reply let alone payment. The good news is that if you are looking for City and Guilds Greece on Google this blog entry is the first thing you will find. I think they are about to get a crash course in the power of social media. They enough money to pay for endless TV ads but not enough to pay staff?

POSTSCRIPT

I finally did get paid by City and Guilds in September, just four months late and frankly I am not working with them ever again. I just got a measly sum in my bank account and absolutely no paperwork on how my pay was worked out and what deductions were made. Tax? Health insurance? I have no idea. The amount in no way comes close to being considered a fair wage for working such long hours over a weekend in a difficult, mentally taxing job.

So, do yourself a favour avoid them if at all possible.