Anti-fascist actions held in Agios Panteleimonas after councillor’s inflammatory remarks
Anti-fascist and solidarity groups have organized a series of activities in Athens’ Agios Panteleimonas neighborhood following controversial statements by municipal councillor Eleni Papadopoulou, which activists described as xenophobic and inflammatory.
The initiatives have sought to promote a message of solidarity and coexistence, emphasizing that the neighborhood is home to both long-established residents and people who have arrived from different parts of the world.
A solidarity assembly supporting the Palestinian cause held a community event in Agios Panteleimonas Square on Thursday, featuring food, drinks and music. On July 30, dozens of people also took part in an anti-fascist gathering organized by the group Solidarity with Migrants.
The activities followed remarks by Papadopoulou, head of the far-right municipal faction Athens MAS and a former member of residents’ committees associated with anti-immigration activism in central Athens.
According to the report, Papadopoulou described refugees and migrants as “invaders” in a social media post and called for the “liberation” of an area she characterized as being under “occupation.” The post was followed by comments that openly called for violence, according to the report.
The controversy has particular significance in Agios Panteleimonas, an area that has previously been associated with violent far-right activity and attacks against migrants, including activity linked to the now-disbanded Golden Dawn organization.
Solidarity groups said their latest actions aim to reaffirm that Agios Panteleimonas is a shared public space for residents of different backgrounds.
“The square of Agios Panteleimonas is a living space where thousands of people from around the world meet and shape our common neighborhood together,” activists said, arguing that attempts to impose a fascist or nationalist agenda on the area would continue to face opposition.
The actions come amid renewed debate in Athens over migration, political rhetoric and the role of far-right movements in local communities.
