Fresh clashes have broken out between police and protesters in Athens and other cities, after a night of rioting triggered by the police shooting dead a youth.
Greek authorities say the shooting took place after youths attacked a police car with stones and petrol bombs.
Two police officers have been arrested in connection with the killing of the teenager.
So, just to interpret for you guys, some cops get attacked by a huge group of “students”. These youth are actually anarchists. (And I mean that, politically speaking. There are a bunch of moronic teenagers who think that Anarchy is cool.) But back to the story… the kids are stoning the cops and throwing Molotov cocktails, and one of the cops actually shoots a student.
In case you’re thinking, what do the cops have to fear? Here is a sample video from Jan 17, 2007 to demonstrate:
Oh, and after they attack cops they make videos of it and post them on YouTube, like this one, or this one, or this one. Hell, they even attacked the Greek Police headquarters!
So back to the story, after the kid gets shot, what happens?!? All the little anarchists in the entire country are going to revolt and burn the cities down!
There is absolutely nothing I hate more about Greece than the fact that they have become a nation of complete wussies.
There has not been a minor killed by police in Greece since 1985. That is over 2 decades since a cop has killed one lousy kid! Now, I know that I go on about police abuse of power quite often, but this is the entire other end of the spectrum. If kids are going to hurl Molotov cocktails directly at police riot squads they should be shot!
Let’s examine the logic here shall we?
- The kids in Greece are against the concept of killing.
- A kid (anarchist) gets killed by police.
- All the kids then burn down the cities and throw bombs at police – putting countless people in mortal danger.
Brilliant. You morons have truly mastered the philosophical arts. How proud Socrates would be.
Meanwhile, let’s talk about the Government reaction. Instead of the Prime Minister coming out with a strong statement that “criminal activities such as arson, assault and battery, and resisting arrest will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law”, they arrest the officers who were being attacked and exercised self defense.
I’d call them a very terrible name if my mother wasn’t going to read this article tomorrow.
I have absolutely ZERO sympathy for the people rioting in Greece. I’ve been there several times, I have family there, and I know that they have no reason whatsoever to riot like this. The only reason this happens – is because the society at large allows it to.
Now, let’s assume for a moment that the cops had murdered that kid in cold blood. I mean, there was no justification for the murder whatsoever. What is a proper reaction to this situation? Well, rather than causing untold amounts of destruction on innocent civilian populations, I would suggest the following:
- Hold a peaceful, non-violent, demonstration. Have a spokesman, such as the president of the student government at the university, calmly speak to the media denouncing the act and invite not only students but concerned citizens to gather at a particular time and place for a candlelight vigil to remember the slain student.
- Bring political pressure to bear on the police force in general, and the officers involved in specific and ensure that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
By acting like thugs all they do is lend credibility to the police officer’s actions. I can see how he might have been scared for his life and reacted with deadly force.
Bottom line is that Greece’s entire police and judicial system is out of control. Any country that tolerates repeated riots is not at all protecting freedom, because in these instances the people who are hurt the most are the innocent homeowners, merchants and other citizenry who’s lives are damaged by the reckless disregard for basic humanity.
Law and order is a basic civil right for any free people. It distinguishes us from the savages.
Photos courtesy of the BBC.
john p. .. i realy hope your kid is killed in the same way.. so let’s talk again then.. ok?
Violence isn’t really the answer dude. i think the man who killed the kid should have a special kind of punishment. Can anyone say goodbye to the killer:) If your wondering why i say this it’s because not all the police men and women should be punished for a stupid cops stupidity.
well my friend, here in Greece we have a great slogan:
“Violence towards the violence of authority”
“To educate,
enlightenand entertain.”I’m not going to go into my education. I have been to several countries and lived in several more where the gap is big between rich and poor. You googled a fact and assumed the rest, again! And I don’t even smoke weed, crackhead!
Obviously the ‘badge’ used excessive force and hell; he had a gun he might have well have used it, right? Why, don’t they just shoot all the protesters? Hell, they might as well drop an atomic bomb on everyone? (sarcasm) Darwinism is twisted in your head; it’s survival of the richest.
First of all, I think it’s silly that someone in Delft (yeah, I’ve been there) is attempting to lecture a Greek American about things going on in America and Greece. I’ve been to both LA and Athens on several occasions each. My family lives in Athens, and I know US issues better than you ever will, no matter what news sources you watch.
Secondly, you expect anyone to believe that a large group of boys who are throwing objects at a police car (your own freaking quote admits that!) are NOT thugs? You’ve been smoking too much of that legal marijuana you’ve got there.
Finally, and this is all I’m going to say on this matter because we’re obviously getting no where, if you go around to any country on the planet and start hurling things at a police car – you’re liable to get beat the hell up at a minimum, or shot. That is just plain old stupid, and those kids were demonstrating Darwin’s theory in action.
Have a nice day,
John
Your comment was held because of the link you put in it. I’m not censoring anything.
If I can’t comment on your blog you might as well not reply….
My three points are;
1. The teenager was unarmed and killed unlawfully; excessive force was used and they were not thugs.
2. L.A. burned for the beating of Rodney King and because of US economic class differences; it was a catalyst for riots and protests.
3. You need to get off of FOX news channel and get some new sources.
“The first signs of unrest came just hours after the killing of Andreas-Alexandros Grigoropoulos. Police say Grigoropoulos was among a gang of youths who attacked them while on patrol, though the exact circumstances of the incident remain unclear. The 37-year-old officer who shot Grigoropoulos says he fired warning shots to disperse a crowd, though witnesses charge that he pointed his gun at the young boy and discharged it once. Prosecutors have charged the officer with manslaughter, and his 31-year-old partner with abetting him. The coroner’s report was inconclusive, though a ballistics test may determine whether the bullet was fired at Grigoropoulos directly or whether it ricocheted off something first. ”
-http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1864982,00.html
“Anger on the Streets
Major riots are triggered by the shooting of Athens teenager, Andreas Grigoropoulos, by a police officer who opened fire after youths threw objects at his car. Two police officers have been arrested in connection with the boy’s death.” http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1864960_1811582,00.html
You used 3 paragraphs to make one point, which was irrelevant.
Picture this, you are one of two police officers. A large gang of punks surrounds you. They can easily beat you to death, and you don’t know what their intentions are since you’ve watched them light other cops on fire. Do you:
My money is on #2. Unless you are a moron.
And my knowledge of Greece is first hand, as I’ve stated. The problem is built around the entire societies lack of regard for the police. There are many reasons… historical abuse at the hands of the police and military, Greek politics, and the general Greek attitude. But the point is that you FIX those things – you don’t strip the people who are protecting you of all power.
No offense taken anyway.
John P.
You disregard the fact that the police were arrested for the shooting of the unarmed teenager, would this imply that their statements may have been false? You obviously maintain the level of FOX news reporting; there WERE already peaceful protests going on, in your article you state that this would have your respect.
In my recent memory LA was taken to flames when police beat Rodney King. But yeah, you US’ers have it so well when it comes to your work ethic…. the prisoner military industrial complex really solves the gap between rich and poor in my eyes! (sarcasm)
Maybe if you report an issue you should use more than your failing knowledge of global politics, 4th hand sources and the like. MAYBE use more than one source to start with. Your entire article is completely biased and disregards major facts. Nothing personal.
Well Dino, we’re going to have to agree to disagree here.
I’m not some average American who doesn’t know what’s going on in Greece. My family lives there, I’ve been plenty of times, and I’ve witnessed with my own two eyes what is going on.
You guys have NO IDEA how good you’ve got it. The average “worker” in Greece puts in about one HALF the time that the average American worker puts in. The Greek work ethic is absolute crap. This, by the way is merely an honest evaluation. I LOVE Greece and Greeks. But that doesn’t hide the truth.
Greece has a lot of problems that are self inflicted. The idealism has gone way, way too far. I understand the history, but the balance of power has shifted way past simple freedom to the point of “majority tyranny”.
If a nation no longer trusts the police, you do NOT revolt, burn down your own freaking towns, and strip the police of all their power! You fire the guys in charge and put some other people in their place!
The Greek system of justice may be a joke, but it’s because the people have not demanded change and held leaders accountable. They whine in the streets and organize riots.
John P.
See, you guys dont even have your facts straight… you just eat up what the media sells.
I live in greece and ive witnessed first hand what was going on, and this is something that needed to be done
for a long time after getting fucked over for so long. We are not “moronic” teenagers that think anarchy is “cool”
we are speaking up for what is right. As far as the looting and the molotov, some people take it too far, but of course the media is
going to show you the worst, because it sells and you’ll eat up every word. Think next time before you make radical judgments on shit you dont know about.
I just hope your kid doesn’t get in a VERBAL ARGUMENT with a Greek cop and “pay the price” by being SHOT IN COLD BLOOD. It’s time to drop the “death threat”, “mob-attack” fairy-tale, there was no such thing. The boy was out with friends to celebrate his Saint day, till he met the semi-pro, ill-trained, gun-ho, called “Rambo” by friends, ex-member of a Neonazi gang, homicidal cop.
Finally, your recipe for the police to get tough and trigger-happy on protesters (oh wait, there are actually thousands of people protesting besides the ravaging rioters you watch on evening news) is the perfect way to end the riots… and start a civil war.
Good Lord! You sound like a little whiny baby. Seriously. ONE kid has been killed in over two decades!!! So, you’ve come to the wrong place if you are seeking sympathy my friend. Thucydides said,
There is no courage in rioting and burning down your own homes and businesses. You want to impress me? How about getting arrested while demonstrating peacefully and then making your case for the local and international news. Then the rest of us might think you have a point.
John
Yeah, arrest the officers, that’s the answer. I think we did that here with ICE officers Campeon and Ramos when the shot a drug-running illegal in the ass.
Doesn’t Greece have a good soccer rivalry with another European country? Those “students” just need a place to channel their “youthful energy”. Same goes with the “youths” in suburban Paris. .
If a society is going to castrate their law enforcement, then the results are going to be predictable and dangerous to the law-abiding population.
My feeling is that Greece, and probably some or all Western countries will follow at some point, is living the end of an era.
The violence our country has suffered for the last 4 days is, according to the vast majority of people in Greece, not the product of a weak police and strong opposition (or anarchists or anything you would like to call these people). It is deeply political.
Those in power, whether politicians, policemen, doctors, lawyers etc. are rarely if ever get punished for any major or minor offense. This is not a new situation. However, it has come to be very obvious and profound in the last couple of years.
There is a sense that nothing will ever change, nothing will ever improve, democracy is for the few privileged and only.
I do believe that out of violence nothing good will result.
Please don’t say that a 15 year old paid for its stupidity by dying. It is .. just a terrible thing to say. I urge you to read Greek newspapers just to get the fact straight.
This terrible situation is the result of generalised disappointment. And to my view this kind of disappointment is spreading across the world like a disease.
Enough said.
Thank you for your time
Eve,
You missed my point entirely. Frankly, I wouldn’t care if 20 kids were killed. Or 200. Or 2,000. Any of that would be wrong! But burning down the country and turning other innocent people into victims is just as wrong.
Those a-holes that are starting fires could kill someone. What if they set a building on fire and a bunch of innocent people burn to death? Heck, how about if you are a poor working person who has a car and relys on it to get to work, and those kids burn your car? An innocent person’s life has just been ruined.
The police in Greece are always operating in defense mode. The fact that they never shoot anyone, and that when they do they are arrested, is why there is absolutely no law and order in the country. Greek cops are WEAK.
As far as the kid who got shot is concerned, I don’t care if he called himself an anarchist or not. He clearly thought it was perfectly fine to get together with a huge overwhelming group of other kids and harrass, intimidate or possibly attack the police. But guess what, that is not OK. Not in Greece, or any other country. So, he paid the price for stupidity.
There is no ignorance or stereotyping in my commentary. I am half Greek, I’ve been there many times and my family lives in Athens. I know what I’m talking about. However, I am angry and ashamed that Greeks act like savages. And I can’t believe that the rest of the Greeks are too scared to put an end to it.
John
This is part of an interesting article from a respected right-wing Greek newspaper: http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100002_09/12/2008_102874
Maybe you should start doing some research
Officer who shot teenager was a special guard; defense attorneys decline the case
Epaminondas Korkoneas, the 37-year-old police officer who is alleged to have shot the teenager Alexis Grigoropoulos is a special guard, a force that was created in 1999 but fully inducted into the police only this year.
Special guards were intended to take on more menial tasks, such as guarding buildings, so that regular police officers would be able to take up other duties.
Speaking to Kathimerini, the legal counsel of the Attica Police Officers’ Union, Vaios Skambardonis, said that police officers are advised that they should only use their revolvers if human life is in danger.
However, footage of Saturday’s shooting, captured by a witness on her mobile phone does not appear to show Korkoneas and his colleague coming under any kind of threat.
The blurred, dark images appear to show the police officer standing at some distance from the 15-year-old and other youths.
There appear to be no signs of the police officers coming under any kind of attack.
Korkoneas has been charged with murder and illegal use of a weapon while his colleague has been charged as an accomplice.
Their next appearance in court is in some doubt as the lawyers assigned to defend them have refused to accept their case. This has been interpreted as an indication that the officers’ argument that they were acting in self-defense was not convincing.
please do
Just a few comments:
1. According to official police statements the officers that killed the boy where NOT in defense. It is interesting to note that in your article you state that the officers WERE in defense. I wonder why..
2. There is no evidence the kid was an anarchist. But even if he was, is there a law which states that the penalty for being an anarchist is death? You say “That is over 2 decades since a cop has killed one lousy kid!” A lousy kid??? God!! What if it was your lousy kid? How can you be so inhuman?
3. I Athens is my city and I love it. It shouldn’t have been damaged that way. Why was it left unprotected? Makes you wonder..
4. Your article is full of stereotypes, anger and ignorance. It is people like you who make violence happen.
I can not understand the way you are thinking. HATERS. The least I can say.
How can you write articles from your sofa having completely no idea of what is going on? You people deserve a big s*** in your face while watching the braking news. All of you.
A small prayer: Thank you lord for having left this busket case of a country while the leaving was good.
A small suggestion: If all the anarchists want is their own country, they got it. It’s called Congo (heart of darkness and all). No coffee shops there, no universities there, but if you have a machete or in lieu of that a molotof you’ll feel right at home.
A small question: Wasn’t there some talk about Greece being the cradle of civilazation? Oh sorry, that was 2,000 plus years ago, now it’s just a cradle of cry babies.
I wouldn’t call the kid a hero, or give credit to the policeman, yet. The verdict is still open. Although I think it’s out for the so called anarchists. What I don’t understand is why don’t they gather in a piece of land and make their own country, or state, or whatever they want to call it. But I guess they won’t have anything to protest about, or just kill each other.
Panos,
I am glad to hear that there are still a few rational Greeks left! :-) Hang in there buddy.
John P.
Omg I am with you 100% OP. At last someone said it because it felt like i was surrounded by morons. I am disgusted for being Greek if this is what Greece has come to. If this happened in another country everyone would say he had it coming. But not in Greece. Here when someone attacks you you should stay there and get beaten up. Where were the kids parents? I am 25 year old and I avoid going to Exarchia where the kid got shot because the whole area is bad. Why its always the lions fault when it bites someone that deliberatly entered its cage? Didnt his parents taught him that his actions have consequences? Didnt all the MORONS that started blaming the police have brains? Everyone started saying fuck police etc but when someone will enter your house you ll be calling the police like a little bitch even if u are an anarchist. And in the end the made the kid a hero… Seriously I am disgusted that this is how greek people became. Its time to move from this moronic country.
Gus,
That is the weakest argument I’ve ever heard in my entire life. What exactly are you trying to say?!? “Look, here is a video of something bad taking place – therefore I should be able to burn the freakin city down!”
Even if the local police are a bunch of thugs and criminals, it doesn’t make it right for people to burn down the city. There are infinitely better ways of dealing with the situation than that. All it does is make things worse for all of the innocent people whose lives are affected.
If you have a problem with the police take it to your politicians, or deal with it in the court system. If those two branches of government are too corrupt then put together a liberation army, revolt, and institute a democracy.
But I happen to know first hand that this is NOT the case in Greece. Those are just a bunch of spoiled, punks who do this because they think it’s cool and they know they can get away with it. If they tried that in any other country they’d get their asses kicked and then they’d be locked away in a prison to rot.
John
Especially police who are run by the government. Yes, of course you support them.
I guess you’re okay Greek police.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ahw5_greek-police-violence