Rodopi Peace Committee calls for demilitarization and solidarity with Palestine
The Rodopi Peace Committee has announced its participation in an anti-war demonstration organized by the Alexandroupoli Peace Committee alongside labor unions and regional organizations of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
In preparation for the demonstration, the Rodopi Peace Committee is calling on local residents, youth, public and private sector unions, student associations, and mass movement organizations to attend a coordination meeting on Wednesday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Komotini Labor Center.
In a recent statement, the committee highlighted the escalating imperialist tensions spreading from Ukraine and the Middle East to the Eastern Mediterranean and Asia. They criticized the Greek government and capitalist parties for deepening Greece’s involvement in the war efforts led by the U.S., NATO, and the European Union, primarily serving corporate interests.
The committee condemned Greece’s transformation into a military stronghold through the expansion of U.S.-NATO bases and its participation in imperialist missions in regions such as the Red Sea and Saudi Arabia. They warned that increased military spending and foreign military deployments do not guarantee security but rather expose the population to retaliatory attacks.
Specifically referencing the local region, the statement noted that critical infrastructure such as the ports of Alexandroupoli and Kavala, airports, highways, railways, and military camps are being integrated into NATO’s military framework. Consequently, the area is becoming a frontline target for rival powers.
This militarization is underscored by the upcoming “Immediate Response 2025” military exercise taking place across Eastern Macedonia and Thrace from May 26 to June 9, described as a “war rehearsal” mobilizing extensive military and political infrastructure.
The Rodopi Peace Committee’s key demands include:
- Greece’s withdrawal from imperialist wars and plans
- Closure of all U.S.-NATO military bases, including Alexandroupoli
- No Greek armed forces deployments abroad
- Opposition to NATO military build-up
- Redirecting funds to health, education, social welfare, and disaster protection
- Mass recruitment of permanent staff in essential public sectors
- An end to the Israeli occupation and massacre in Palestinian territories
- Freedom for Palestine
- Solidarity with migrants, refugees, and displaced people
