KKE protests the arrest of Sean Garland and the US request for extradition
Anger and indignation spread among the communists and democrats of our country the news of the arrest of comrade Sean Garland president of the Workers’ Party of Ireland, on Friday October 8, first day of the party’s congress taking place in Belfast.
In a release issued on Friday 8th, the Press Bureau of KKE denounced the arrest of Sean Garland by the British authorities on foot of an extradition by the US government, and demanded his immediate release. The communiqué noted that his arrest constitutes an action that questions the democratic rights of all people in Europe and reminded the active participation of Sean Garland in the solidarity movement supporting with the struggle of the Greek people against the military dictatorship of 67-74.
On Monday October 10, mass demonstrations took place in Athens, Thessaloniki, Xanthi, Komitini, Kozani and Ptolemaida on initiative of the organizations of KKE and KNE demanding the immediate release of Sean Garland and the rejection of the US request for his extradition. Mobilizations have also been set for today in the towns of Kavala and Alexandroupoli.
In Athens the demonstrators marched in the city center ending up at the British embassy, while in Thessaloniki the rally headed towards the US and British consulates.
Speaking to the manifestation in Athens, Papagiotis Sofos, member of the CC of KKE called upon the Greek people also to draw conclusions from this incident and underlined the heavy responsibilities of the Greek governments of PASOK and ND that have also adopted “anti-terrorist” laws and agreements with the US authorities for the extradition of “suspects”.
At the same time the communist MP Antonis Skylakos raised the issue in the 34th meeting of the COSAC (Conference of Community and European Affairs Committees of Parliaments of the European Union).
Announcements of protest and solidarity have been issued by the executive committee of PAME (All Workers’ Militant Front), the Federation of Construction Workers, the Trade Union of Shop Employees, the Federation of IKA Pensioners (private sector workers) the Campaign for Democratic Rights and People’s Liberties, while more and more trade unions and mass organizations join the protests.
Info by the International Section of KKE
In a release issued on Friday 8th, the Press Bureau of KKE denounced the arrest of Sean Garland by the British authorities on foot of an extradition by the US government, and demanded his immediate release. The communiqué noted that his arrest constitutes an action that questions the democratic rights of all people in Europe and reminded the active participation of Sean Garland in the solidarity movement supporting with the struggle of the Greek people against the military dictatorship of 67-74.
On Monday October 10, mass demonstrations took place in Athens, Thessaloniki, Xanthi, Komitini, Kozani and Ptolemaida on initiative of the organizations of KKE and KNE demanding the immediate release of Sean Garland and the rejection of the US request for his extradition. Mobilizations have also been set for today in the towns of Kavala and Alexandroupoli.
In Athens the demonstrators marched in the city center ending up at the British embassy, while in Thessaloniki the rally headed towards the US and British consulates.
Speaking to the manifestation in Athens, Papagiotis Sofos, member of the CC of KKE called upon the Greek people also to draw conclusions from this incident and underlined the heavy responsibilities of the Greek governments of PASOK and ND that have also adopted “anti-terrorist” laws and agreements with the US authorities for the extradition of “suspects”.
At the same time the communist MP Antonis Skylakos raised the issue in the 34th meeting of the COSAC (Conference of Community and European Affairs Committees of Parliaments of the European Union).
Announcements of protest and solidarity have been issued by the executive committee of PAME (All Workers’ Militant Front), the Federation of Construction Workers, the Trade Union of Shop Employees, the Federation of IKA Pensioners (private sector workers) the Campaign for Democratic Rights and People’s Liberties, while more and more trade unions and mass organizations join the protests.
Info by the International Section of KKE
e-mail:cpg@int.kke.gr