Well, this is an unfortunate use of "Golden Dawn"... It could get confusing.
Sasha Chaitow, you're in Greece, what it this in Greek?
~Caroline.
ALERTS: Tourists of Color Warned Away From Greece
From
<http://www.care2.com/causes/tourists-of-color-warned-away-from-greece.html#
ixzz2IoVPAczb>:
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Tourists of Color Warned Away From Greece
by s.e. smith
January 20, 2013, 4:00 pm
Greece has been a popular destination for tourists over the centuries,
thanks to the nation's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. Yet, the
past few years in this European country have been marked by escalating
tension and human rights violations as Greece struggles with debt, austerity
measures and civil unrest. The nation once famous for its vases and
philosophers has entered the news more frequently for rioting, strikes and
human rights abuses committed against immigrants.
As a major entry point into the European Union, Greece is a hotspot for
immigration, and the nation has become increasingly hostile to visitors. The
government's camps and holding facilities have become concerns for human
rights advocacy groups, while vigilantes patrol Greek cities and ports
looking for people whom they think don't belong. This has led to beatings
and other abuses committed, not just against undocumented visitors, but
against people who are in Greece entirely legally, including tourists.
Racism in government policy has been compounded by the rise of Golden Dawn,
a notoriously anti-immigrant group. Golden Dawn has particularly close ties
with the Greek police, who are entitled by law to stop people and demand
identification. In recent months, numerous tourists have been stopped and
illegally held solely because of their skin color, including Black and
Korean visitors. Tourists, visiting professors, businesspeople and other
legitimate guests of the nation have been held despite having passports and
other proof that they are in the country legally.
This is understandably raising concerns among many travelers of color, who
have warned each other through their own informational networks that
visiting Greece may be dangerous and other destinations should be
considered. They aren't the only ones, though. The U.S. State Department's
travel advisory for Greece includes a statement buried far down the page
that should be ringing alarm bells:
"There has been a rise in unprovoked harassment and violent attacks against
persons who, because of their complexion, are perceived to be foreign
migrants. U.S. citizens most at risk are those of African, Asian, Hispanic,
or Middle Eastern descent. Travelers are urged to exercise caution,
especially in the immediate vicinity of Omonia Square from sunset to
sunrise. Travelers should avoid Exarchia Square and its immediate vicinity
at all times. The U.S. Embassy has confirmed reports of U.S.
African-American citizens detained by police authorities conducting sweeps
for illegal immigrants in Athens."
Effectively, Athens has become a Sundown Town, one where being nonwhite
after dark is extremely dangerous, and some neighborhoods are too unsafe to
venture into at all. This is chilling news, and will undoubtedly give many
people currently planning their vacations room for pause, if the nation's
human rights violations weren't already cause for concern.
It also raises the question of whether external pressure may finally force
reforms in Greece and a turn away from increasingly violent, xenophobic
policies. Greece relies heavily on revenue from tourists, business
conferences and other events involving travelers, and if people start
boycotting the country for their safety or out of solidarity with other
travelers, Greece's hand may be forced. Its racist anti-immigrant policies
could crumble under scrutiny from outsiders, and Golden Dawn's popularity
might wane in a nation where people see the full ramifications of the
group's policy advocacy.
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