Greece: protests against dismissal of Chrysa Chotzoglou

The Greek government wants to fire an activist teacher, Chrysa Chotzoglou, due to her struggle against the anti-people policies by the government. This dismissal, according to the Communist Party of Greece (Marxist-Leninist) [KKE (m-l)] is an attempt by the government and the Ministry of Education “to establish a climate of terror, intimidation and subjugation in education by setting up a wave of persecution and disciplinary action throughout the country”. The KKE (m-l) also reports that “at least 2,500 teachers have been referred to disciplinary action for participating in the strike-abstention from the evaluation, for the content of school actions, for anti-war banners, for ‘shouting’ and slogans against the evaluation, and even for expressing an opinion!”.

The decision was made by the former Minister of Education, and the current Minister also agrees with suspending the activist teacher, despite the fact that the disciplinary council, unanimously recommended her acquittal. Protests erupted and have been organized by teachers, students and many other people’s sectors in Greece.

The decision by the Greek authorities was made five days after the people’s massive strike on February 28, as a way to send a message to the people, a warning against all those who dare to struggle. But the answer is being quite the opposite since many are rising against the unjust decision and protesting.

The KKE (m-l) also criticizes the role displayed by the yellow unions which are trying to impose the silence and put obstacles in the way of organizing the struggle. The Greek Party also calls for strengthening and multiplying the assemblies, protests, and initiatives to make actions against persecution more widespread and to inform and mobilize teachers, students and the people. Protests have been called in many cities such as in Athens, Thessaloniki, Heraklion, Karditsa, Samos and others.