We Won't Pay movement - Greek road toll protest.

We Won't Pay movement - Greek road toll protest., a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Much of Greece's road network is a private fiefdom owned and/or controlled by the country's fabulously wealthy oligarchs.Even as the economy collapses and Greece enters yet another year of economic contraction road tolls have risen and yet more toll are planned still further strangling any hope of development.

Greek protesters decorate Christmas tree with electricity bills with latest tax hike

Greek protesters decorate Christmas tree with electricity bills with latest tax hike, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

We Won't Pay - Civil disobedience in Thessaloniki, Greece

Over the last year a group of ordinary Greeks have embarked on a series of acts of civil disobedience by refusing to pay bus fares which have gone up 280% in some cases. Every weekend volunteers board buses and encourage fellow passengers not to buy tickets. Worrried by the movement the government has ordered a police crackdown on such acts, leading to the detention and harassment of activists.

Civil disobedience in Greece's second largest city

Civil disobedience in Greece's second largest city, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Members of the "We Won't Pay" campaign take over buses in Thessaloniki, Greece in protests over the latest round of bus fare increases which have pushed up ticket prices by up to 180%.

The PASOK minister for transport, Demtrios Reppas responded by calling those taking part "freeloaders" while the government hastily passed legislation making failure to pay bus tickets a criminal offence.It is ironic that Reppas who has, as a member of Greek parliament since 1981 been entitled to free travel for three decades is now accusing those who refuse to pay fare and toll price hikes of ranging from 40% to 300% of being unreasonable.

For more on the aims and actions of the organisation (in Greek but tyou can use Google Translate).

http://epibates-thess.blogspot.com/