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Monday, December 3, 2018

'Their ideas had no place here': how Crete kicked out Golden Dawn

Teachers and activists in Heraklion explain how they drove the ultra-nationalist, far-right Greek party from the island Washing hangs from the balconies of an unassuming apartment block on Irodotou street in Heraklion, the capital of Crete. Outside, children ride bikes and old men play cards in a coffee shop. But before May this year, this building looked rather different. A sign hung outside reading: “Golden Dawn, Heraklion region”. The ultra-nationalist, far-right Greek party used this street as its local base. It was local teachers who first spotted its influence. “Two of my 13-year-old students had family problems,” recalls Maria Oikonomaki, 50. “Golden Dawn approached them in cafes and the gym, presenting themselves as family and protectors. They took them for coffee and gave them lessons on Greek history.” Continue reading...


READ THE ORIGINAL POST AT www.theguardian.com