Discussions on the refugee crisis, and the treatment of refugees in Europe, fall into certain patterns. Refugees are often seen as passive, on the receiving end of bigotry or sympathy. The former is horrific in its very existence, the latter admirable in its humanity. However, refugees can and have been able to organize to provide for themselves and their peers. Often with the world up against them, they manage to survive and endure of their own accord. When combined with solidarity and cooperation, refugees persevere in search of an Ithaca to their Odyssey.
Greece provides ample examples of this dynamic. With a recent hard turn by the new government, refugees have faced increasing state violence. Squats have been evicted, fast-track asylum policies and the takeover of the independent integration agency KETHEA are only a handful of policies aimed at harming the prospects of refugees to stay in the country. One shining case of resistance was City Plaza Hotel. A large hotel located in Athens, it was taken over by a collective in April 2016 (much to the anger of its owner, who proceeded to sue unknown persons in a truly petty reaction).
Valuables in the hotel were locked safely, and the space was stocked with food and supplies for refugee families to move in. After disciplined preparations, many families moved in. In a remarkable display of direct democracy, everyone cooperated to improve the situation. A refugee barber would often set up and cut people’s hair. Children would be given lessons to prepare for primary schools, and people would be taught English and Greek. It is perhaps fitting that such acts of cooperation happened in the birthplace of Democracy. Alas, it was not to last. But even in defeat, the squat was defiant. Before any police raid would happen, the families willingly (albeit under pressure), moved out into other squats. A tragic case of pragmatism under pressure from a petty landlord, but one that at least gave them a lease to see another Athenian sunrise.
Nearby, in Boeotia, another organizing wonder is to be found. 100 acres of land were utilized by a squat of refugees in 2017 to farm vegetables. Broccoli, Spinach, Tomatoes, all fruits are being grown here. In a savvy case of entrepreneurial spirit, refugee residents managed to get goats and chickens to provide themselves with dairy. Some volunteers have also arrived, as have squatters from Athens. For work, for helping out, for company. The organisation is astounding. The vegetables are more than enough to feed other communities, and people come to help and get a small piece of it.
This is not the only instance of such self-organizing. Many schools were utilized during the height of the refugee crisis in places such as Leukovryso. In Larissa, an old factory was repaired and used for housing (with the quiet blessings of the owner). In Diabata, refugees were allowed to use an abandoned military camp, setting up a refugee center. This feat was accomplished with the help of the state in 2016. Children even got the chance to be in their own little playground, while adults could go to the small town to get groceries for their families. Perhaps the greatest show of resilience is to be seen in Lesbos, a small island whose Greek residents come from the expulsions of 1922. Knowing pain in their families, the people self-organised in 2016 to help the refugees who were being mis-treated. Self-organised tent camps were able to help refugees find a temporary place to stay. It is cooperation and solidarity at its best.
Returning to Athens, it is important to remember Pedion Areos. This is a large open public park, one that saw an influx of refugees in 2015. The conditions were indeed shameful. However, self-organised groups were soon to come to assist. Refugees and locals organised to provide food and medical attention to the makeshift camp. From there, various squats were organised, occupying buildings around the city. Many of these squats were evicted last year, but the refugees managed to build bases and networks to keep fighting. Their survival was dependent not on the state, but on themselves and the people who helped them. The ghosts of the past were with them, as Pedion Areos was a site of campsites after the population exchanges of 1922.
What is to be learned from these stories of heroism? Perhaps that refugees are neither dangerous nor incompetent. Perhaps we could learn that refugees can provide for the communities they end up in. Perhaps we will give refugees the agency and resources they need to thrive, not just survive. I am reminded Antigone, who broke Creon’s cruel laws to bury her husband. Ancient Greece rarely assigned agency to women, as we neglect the agency of refugees now. Yet in the end, those who break unjust laws and work to do what’s right; those are the people with the greatest heroism.
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