31.05.2008
At the time of writing an innocent woman lies fighting for her life, a victim of a violent crime that she had no control over. Not your Mother, Sister or Wife – why should you care? Because it could have been you or one of yours!
In a sleepy village in southern Corfu, Greece many peoples lives have been changed forever. Since January 2008, democracy has ended, and dictatorship and barbarism have once again been introduced – the irony being that Greece fought against the Dictator Hunda in the 1970s and actually believed that the birth place of democracy had once again returned to its roots. How wrong can anyone be?
The Greek government have sanctioned an illegal landfill site and despite local uprage, continue in their efforts to complete the project. The site was taken over by locals, after all efforts (the judicial system, protests, lobbying of Members of Parliament etc etc etc) were totally ignored. The European parliament was notified about the ongoing illegal works – STILL NOTHING! No-one cares, no-one can help – so ultimately the fight is being fought by a dedicated group of local Greek and British people who really care. Care about their livelihoods, their environment, their Childrens future and the health and safety of the local residents. The consequences of an illegal landfill are obviously far reaching, damaging not only the environment and wildlife, but spreading like a cancer growth – ultimately affecting all aspects of life itself.
Living night and day on the site, many residents sacrificed the right to a normal family and working life. At least the works had been halted! Until…… the fateful day (just two days ago), when the powers that be in Greece gave the order for multiple battalions of riot police to enter and re-take the landfill site.
Feeling was now running high – how could something so horrific be happening to a non-violent group of law abiding citizens (who were only doing their moral duty to protect themselves)? Barricades were hastily erected, fires lit and groups of people lined the streets to attempt to stop the 350 plus riot police reaching their target.
Out of the smoke and confusion, the police charged. Probably, the most frightening sight one could imagine. Locals ran, screaming looking for sanctuary from the brutal battons and tear gas canisters and it was then that a local teenage boy, riding past on his moped was caught in the middle of the uproar. He was severely beaten and lost control of his bike. Out of control his bike ploughed into an innocent woman on her way from her house – knocking her to the ground and rendering her unconscious. She was transferred to the local hospital where she lies on a life support system. The mother of 2 young children,a wife and a sister – fighting for her life and WHY? Because in this world where we live in 2008, in this ideallic European community, there is NO JUSTICE.! How many more people have to be wounded or killed before someone will sit up and listen?
This may be happening in Greece today, but who knows what could happen in your country tomorrow?
The site has been occupied by the riot police, so works begin again – how long will it be before the birth defects appear? Before the cancer spreads? Before the sea is polluted? Before the wildlife dies?
We cannot sit and wait with folded hands, but we need support from everyone.
03.06.2008
Tragically, since writing the young Mother has passed away. How did things get this far? One death is one too many – what more can we say?
The British residents of
Lefkimmi
At the time of writing an innocent woman lies fighting for her life, a victim of a violent crime that she had no control over. Not your Mother, Sister or Wife – why should you care? Because it could have been you or one of yours!
In a sleepy village in southern Corfu, Greece many peoples lives have been changed forever. Since January 2008, democracy has ended, and dictatorship and barbarism have once again been introduced – the irony being that Greece fought against the Dictator Hunda in the 1970s and actually believed that the birth place of democracy had once again returned to its roots. How wrong can anyone be?
The Greek government have sanctioned an illegal landfill site and despite local uprage, continue in their efforts to complete the project. The site was taken over by locals, after all efforts (the judicial system, protests, lobbying of Members of Parliament etc etc etc) were totally ignored. The European parliament was notified about the ongoing illegal works – STILL NOTHING! No-one cares, no-one can help – so ultimately the fight is being fought by a dedicated group of local Greek and British people who really care. Care about their livelihoods, their environment, their Childrens future and the health and safety of the local residents. The consequences of an illegal landfill are obviously far reaching, damaging not only the environment and wildlife, but spreading like a cancer growth – ultimately affecting all aspects of life itself.
Living night and day on the site, many residents sacrificed the right to a normal family and working life. At least the works had been halted! Until…… the fateful day (just two days ago), when the powers that be in Greece gave the order for multiple battalions of riot police to enter and re-take the landfill site.
Feeling was now running high – how could something so horrific be happening to a non-violent group of law abiding citizens (who were only doing their moral duty to protect themselves)? Barricades were hastily erected, fires lit and groups of people lined the streets to attempt to stop the 350 plus riot police reaching their target.
Out of the smoke and confusion, the police charged. Probably, the most frightening sight one could imagine. Locals ran, screaming looking for sanctuary from the brutal battons and tear gas canisters and it was then that a local teenage boy, riding past on his moped was caught in the middle of the uproar. He was severely beaten and lost control of his bike. Out of control his bike ploughed into an innocent woman on her way from her house – knocking her to the ground and rendering her unconscious. She was transferred to the local hospital where she lies on a life support system. The mother of 2 young children,a wife and a sister – fighting for her life and WHY? Because in this world where we live in 2008, in this ideallic European community, there is NO JUSTICE.! How many more people have to be wounded or killed before someone will sit up and listen?
This may be happening in Greece today, but who knows what could happen in your country tomorrow?
The site has been occupied by the riot police, so works begin again – how long will it be before the birth defects appear? Before the cancer spreads? Before the sea is polluted? Before the wildlife dies?
We cannot sit and wait with folded hands, but we need support from everyone.
03.06.2008
Tragically, since writing the young Mother has passed away. How did things get this far? One death is one too many – what more can we say?
The British residents of
Lefkimmi