Examines the shifting Greek refugee crisis, contrasting initial solidarity with later political hardening and marginalization of asylum seekers.
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In 2015, Greece received around 800,000 refugees, mostly Syrians, amidst initial solidarity. However, the political climate hardened after 2019, leading to refugees being pushed out of the capital. The text recounts the experience of a Syrian refugee who arrived in Athens, initially finding shelter in Place Victoria. After arriving in Greece, refugees faced difficulties, especially after the EU-Turkey agreement closed Greek borders, effectively trapping many asylum seekers. Initially, leftist and anarchist groups provided crucial aid, opening squats and offering support. A notable example was the City Plaza, which served as a center for solidarity, language classes, and meals. However, by 2019, police forces forcibly cleared squats in Athens, and the situation worsened under the conservative government, leading to the marginalization of migrants into closed camps and the criminalization of solidarity movements. Despite these setbacks, some refugees remain, while the area once marked by strong solidarity now shows signs of decline and tension.
