Greek American organisation denounces rise of far-right in Greece
Published on Wednesday, 26 September 2012 12:46 Written by Katerina Nikolas
The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) has released a statement denouncing the rise of extreme nationalism in Greece. AHEPA stated that although Greece is facing difficult times, extremism is not the solution.
Dr. John Grossomanides, President of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), issued the statement on Tuesday. According to Ekathimerini AHEPA is the largest Greek-American association worldwide.
AHEPA noted its concerns about racist attacks against migrants that have been reported in the press and drawn the attention of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Additionally AHEPA stated:
"We furthermore strongly denounce and reject resoundingly the establishment of a branch of the Neo-Nazi party, Golden Dawn, in New York City. Fascism has no place in the United States, whose citizens, including many Greek Americans and Ahepans, fought and sacrificed to defeat Fascism in Nazi-occupied Greece during World War Two."
We understand this is a difficult time for Greece and its people as austere economic measures and severe public sector reforms are implemented. However, extremism and uncivil disobedience are not the solutions. They are not what Greece needs at a time when assistance is required from the global community and when society must come together to overcome what is perhaps its most trying and unprecedented challenge in its modern history.
Simply stated, such rhetoric and acts conducted by extremists on both the right and left are unacceptable and deeply concern us as a community and as Ahepans. These are similar to the types of incidents experienced by our immigrant forebears a century ago."
Credit: Digital Journal