AYS Daily Digest 03/02/20 — Police Suppress Protests on Lesvos

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Photographer: an anonymous resident of Moria, sent to Latitude Adjustment Podcast

Feature: Protests for Freedom and Dignity Met With Violence By Greek Police

People on the move being held at Moria marched from the camp towards the town of Mitilini only to be stopped on the road near Kara Tepe Camp by police wielding tear gas and batons.

The protest, made up mostly of Afghanis, was against the horrendous conditions in Moria, which they refer to as hell, but also for freedom from the inhumane and arbitrary nature of the asylum system.

Many have been stuck on the island for months and even years while the asylum process drags on. Others have been rejected for asylum and face deportation to dangerous countries, where they were tortured and raped. The official asylum service and interpreters have been caught lying during the asylum process and forcing people to sign deportation papers against their knowledge. There have also been rumors about the Greek government not registering new arrivals, holding them for a week, and then deporting people back to Turkey under the cover of night. Although the rumors are not confirmed yet, they are plausible given the xenophobic and repressive nature of this Greek government.

Photography credit: Refocus Media Labs

Police reacted to the peaceful protest with violence. They fired flashbang grenades and tear gas at protesters, including children. Families had to take shelter from the smoke. They also physically assaulted people, causing many bloody injuries that were not properly treated, as the victims fear arrest if they go to a hospital. Medics, journalists, and solidarity members were arrested when they tried to help injured people. There are also reports of journalists being beaten for trying to document the violence, but they are not confirmed yet.

All people were asking for was dignity and a chance at a life lived in safety, as this father explains. Yet, the police and EU governments react with violence to basic demands for shelter and security.

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