Freedom for C. Dousemetzis! Text distributed at the blocade of Menwith Hill, 22/03

Sunday March 23, 2003 18:10

by Some people

Following is the text of a leaflet distributed during the blockade of the US base of Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire. Freedom for all hostages of the State!

FREEDOM FOR CHRISTOFER DOUSEMETZIS!

After Afghanistan, Iraq has the second place on a long list of countries which are condemned to experience the most brutal side of the Sovereignty. The U.S and their allies have promised to knock down a reactionary regime and launch a democratic reform. It is to doubt though, what sort of social change will follow the completion of a vicious attack which started twelve years ago and has been going on until now, under the form of sanctions. There is a macabre future for the people of Iraq.

The U.N seems to be divided on the issue; but it is because of expediency and not principle that a number of U.N members have formed a coalition against this war. The Organization may -seemingly- be divided over the specific issue, but there is a consensus on the issue of the "War on Terrorism": The increased oppression on movements, native communities and all voices of resistance, the violation of civil rights etc. are now common policies. The massacres in Palestine and Chechnya, the arrests of militant activists in Spain and Italy, the ban of a pro-self-determination organization and newspapers in Herria Euskal are just a few of the frontlines of a common campaign. What they want to do is clear: They want a society of passive obedience. They want to continue the uncontrolled exploitation of our lives and our planet.

The symptoms of this war can be seen in today's Britain. Tens of thousands of troops are already in the scene of action while others took over the country's airports. The authorities are raiding mosques in search of demonised Muslims. The Government and the Media are fostering a feeling of constant suspicion and fear. In a society that contrasts poverty to consumerism and the citizens are "trained" to live under electronic surveillance, a new war means even more pressure on our rights. Under these circumstances people are quizzed, arrested and charged for the violation of the Terrorism Act 2000. To express an opinion on topics banned by the State might sometimes be enough to put somebody in trouble.

Such is the case of the Greek student Christofer Dousemetzis. He is a 25 year old who has been living in Newcastle for the last few years. The British authorities arrested him on the 25th of last February for the violation of chapter 57 of the Terrorist Act 2000. He was charged for the possession of two rubber stamps with the emblem of the guerrilla group as well as a fake proclamation; the occasion for his arrest seems to have been a comment that he made on a website's chat board. He expressed sympathy for the actions and for those accused by the Greek State of being the members of a guerrilla political group. After 28 years of unfruitful efforts the authorities managed, since last summer, to arrest a number of people and connect them with the group's activity. The group had always a militarist approach of action. It had always been alienated from the labour and social movement. In fact its isolated action became an excuse for the State to reinforce the mechanism of suppression. The methods of policing were improved and an authoritarian Anti- Terrorism Law was introduced. Of course these measures were not taken only against the guerilla groups. It is disobedience and dynamic protest that they want to criminalize.

Small and elitist guerrilla groups are not going to bring us closer to a free society and therefore we don't share Dousemetzis' admiration for their action. That doesn't mean, we are not going to demand his release. The evidence found by the sleuths after raiding hi house is ridiculous: Two rubber stamps picturing the symbol of a guerrilla group, articles and books about the guerrilla struggle as well as a leaflet he wrote (and as Dousemetzis claims, all of these were to be used for his PhD in Northumbria University). No explosives, no shotguns, no lethal gasses, no satanic plans... On the first trial in magistrates' court on the 11th of March, the prosecutor admitted that Dousemetzis was never involved in any guerrilla activity and he has never been a member of a group with such orientation. His guiltiness is to be based on his views and a "prediction" of his future as a guerrilla. The magistrates decided that he should remain jailed in Durham prison until his case goes to Crown court in April.

The British State's intension is obvious. It wants to define the limits of free thought and expression and it won't tolerate any disobedience. It is our task to challenge their plans.

People all over the world are protesting and taking action against the attack on Iraq. It is a great thing to do. After a period of fear and apathy, people have started to challenge and resist the State's terrorism. It is important to see that those attacking Iraq are also attacking our civil liberties, our dignity, our right to live without being exploited and oppressed. Their terrorism is of the worse kind. Only our resistance will cancel the Sovereignty's plans for a World of order and barbarism. They have weapons of death and destruction. They have authoritarian laws and prisons. But we have solidarity and a passion for freedom and justice! To defend Christofer Dousemetzis and all political hostages of the State is to defend our rights. It is an action against their war and their greedy purposes!

FREEDOM FOR CHRISTOFER DOUSEMETZIS AND ALL HOSTAGES OF THE STATE!

RESIST THE CRIMINALIZATION OF SPEECH!

ENOUGH WITH THE STATE'S TERRORISM!

SOLIDARITY IS OUR WEAPON!

More info:
http://athens.indymedia.org/features.php3?id=153