Rouvikonas
Rouvikonas | |
---|---|
Ρουβίκωνας | |
Leader | Collectively Run |
Country | Greece |
Motives |
|
Ideology | Anarchism Libertarian Socialism Anarcho-Communism Propaganda of the deed |
Slogan | "No Step Back" |
Major actions | Squats Raids on party offices[1] |
Status | Active |
Means of revenue | Donations Merchendise |
Website | https://rouvikonas.gr |
Rouvikonas (Rubicon, Greek: Ρουβίκωνας) is an activist anarchist collective in Athens, Greece. It was formed in 2013 amid the Greek financial crisis and has since undertaken more than 50 actions.[2] Rouvikonas is based in the central Athenian district of Exarcheia, a neighborhood traditionally accommodating of artists, anarchists and anti-authoritarians.[3]
Most of the group's actions have been of low significance against high-profile targets, such as throwing paint, smashing window fronts, attacking ATMs and occupying monuments of significance.[2][4] Rouvikonas has at times effectively acted as a vigilante group, targeting employers and individuals accused of exploitative behavior, such as unfairly withholding wages, accepting bribes, sexual harassment, and unjust firings.[5] Rouvikonas' actions have also included organizing of free common meals[6][7] and the operation of a volunteer mobile firefighting brigade.[8]
As of 2018, police sources estimated approximately the group had 120–150 members.[2] Its mode of action and open membership is in contrast with previous anarchist groups that operated by use of indiscriminate violence.[2][4] Rouvikonas is part of the platformist Anarchist Federation, along with other anarchist collectives of Greece.[9]
On the 18th of May 2024 a leading member of the group was arrested (Giorgos Kalaitzidis) and charged with threatening to incite criminal activity through social media, on whch he posted: "All embassies and all houses of ambassadors will be targets; all touristic areas will become places of operation".[10][11]
References
[edit]- ^ "Τρία χρόνια Ρουβίκωνας: Οι δράσεις, οι αντιδράσεις και τα σενάρια". 27 April 2018.
- ^ a b c d Chatzistavrou 2018, p. 258-59.
- ^ The Economist 2018.
- ^ a b Clapp 2018.
- ^ "Éfodos Rouvíkona sto nosokomeío Metaxá, apeílisan giatró gia fakeláki" Έφοδος Ρουβίκωνα στο νοσοκομείο Μεταξά, απείλησαν γιατρό για φακελάκι [Rouvíkonas attack at Metaxas Hospital, threatening a doctor for an "envelope" (bribe)] (in Greek). March 2018.
- ^ "Rouvíkonas: Dianomí mageireménou fagitoú" Ρουβίκωνας: Διανομή μαγειρεμένου φαγητού [Rouvíkonas: Distribution of cooked food]. Alerta.gr (in Greek). 16 November 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Rouvíkonas kai El Chef moirázoun eídi prótis anánkis kai fagitó ypokathistóntas ton adiáforo Dímo Athinaíon" Ρουβίκωνας και El Chef μοιράζουν είδη πρώτης ανάγκης και φαγητό υποκαθιστώντας τον αδιάφορο Δήμο Αθηναίων [Rouvikonas and El Chef distribute basic necessities and food replacing the indifferent Municipality of Athens]. Documento (in Greek). 3 December 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Anarquistas contra el fuego en Grecia: de incendiarios a bomberos | C…". archive.is. 2024-07-27. Archived from the original on 2024-07-27. Retrieved 2024-08-05.
- ^ "Αναρχική Οργάνωση | Το site του Ρουβίκωνα". Retrieved 27 March 2023.
- ^ "Συνελήφθη ηγετικό στέλεχος του Ρουβίκωνα" protothema(in Greek) May 18 2024
- ^ "Ρουβίκωνας: Ελεύθερος ο Καλαϊτζίδης μετά το… σόου με τα αλεξίσφαιρα – Στις 28 Μαΐου η δίκη για μία ανάρτηση στο Facebook" documento(in Greek) May 20 2024
Sources
[edit]- Chatzistavrou, Filippa (2018). Blockmans, Steven; Russack, Sophia (eds.). Direct Democracy in the EU: The Myth of a Citizens' (PDF). London: Rowman & Littlefield International. ISBN 978-1-78660-997-7.
- "How a group of Athens troublemakers goes unpunished - Licensed anarchy?". The Economist. 2018-11-08. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
- Clapp, Alexander (2018-01-26). "Never Mind the Troika, Here's Rouvikonas". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
External links
[edit]- Official Website (in Greek)