Rouvikonas Explained

Rouvikonas
Native Name:Ρουβίκωνας
Leader:Collectively Run
Country:Greece
Ideology:Anarchism
Libertarian Socialism
Anarcho-Communism
Propaganda of the deed
Slogan:"No Step Back"
Crimes:Squats
Raids on party offices[1]
Status:Active
Financing:Donations
Merchendise
Website:https://rouvikonas.gr

Rouvikonas (Rubicon, el|Ρουβίκωνας) is an activist anarchist collective in Athens, Greece. It was formed in 2013 amid the Greek financial crisis and has since undertaken more than 50 actions. Rouvikonas is based in the central Athenian district of Exarcheia, a neighborhood traditionally accommodating of artists, anarchists and anti-authoritarians.

Most of the group's actions have been of low significance against high-profile targets, such as throwing paint, smashing window fronts, attacking ATMs and occupying monuments of significance. Rouvikonas has at times effectively acted as a vigilante group, targeting employers and individuals accused of exploitative behavior, such as unfairly withholding wages, accepting bribes, sexual harassment, and unjust firings.[2] Rouvikonas' actions have also included organizing of free common meals[3] [4] and the operation of a volunteer mobile firefighting brigade.[5]

As of 2018, police sources estimated approximately the group had 120–150 members. Its mode of action and open membership is in contrast with previous anarchist groups that operated by use of indiscriminate violence. Rouvikonas is part of the platformist Anarchist Federation, along with other anarchist collectives of Greece.[6]

On the 18th of May 2024 a leading member of the group was arrested (Giorgos Kalaitzidis) and charged with threatening to incite criminal activity through social media, on whch he posted: "All embassies and all houses of ambassadors will be targets; all touristic areas will become places of operation".[7] [8]

Sources

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Τρία χρόνια Ρουβίκωνας: Οι δράσεις, οι αντιδράσεις και τα σενάρια . 27 April 2018 .
  2. Web site: March 2018 . Éfodos Rouvíkona sto nosokomeío Metaxá, apeílisan giatró gia fakeláki . el:Έφοδος Ρουβίκωνα στο νοσοκομείο Μεταξά, απείλησαν γιατρό για φακελάκι . Rouvíkonas attack at Metaxas Hospital, threatening a doctor for an "envelope" (bribe) . el.
  3. Web site: 16 November 2020 . el:Ρουβίκωνας: Διανομή μαγειρεμένου φαγητού . Rouvíkonas: Dianomí mageireménou fagitoú . Rouvíkonas: Distribution of cooked food . 27 March 2023 . Alerta.gr . el.
  4. Web site: 3 December 2020 . el:Ρουβίκωνας και El Chef μοιράζουν είδη πρώτης ανάγκης και φαγητό υποκαθιστώντας τον αδιάφορο Δήμο Αθηναίων . Rouvíkonas kai El Chef moirázoun eídi prótis anánkis kai fagitó ypokathistóntas ton adiáforo Dímo Athinaíon . Rouvikonas and El Chef distribute basic necessities and food replacing the indifferent Municipality of Athens . 27 March 2023 . Documento . el.
  5. Web site: 2024-07-27 . Anarquistas contra el fuego en Grecia: de incendiarios a bomberos C… . https://archive.today/20240727093352/https://elpais.com/clima-y-medio-ambiente/2024-07-27/anarquistas-contra-el-fuego-en-grecia-de-incendiarios-a-bomberos.html . 2024-07-27 . 2024-08-05 . archive.is.
  6. Web site: Αναρχική Οργάνωση Το site του Ρουβίκωνα . 27 March 2023 . en-US.
  7. https://www.protothema.gr/greece/article/1499223/sunelifthi-igetiko-stelehos-tou-rouvikona/ "Συνελήφθη ηγετικό στέλεχος του Ρουβίκωνα"
  8. https://www.documentonews.gr/article/royvikonas-eleytheros-o-kalaitzidis-meta-to-sooy-me-ta-alexisfaira-stis-28-maioy-i-diki-mia-anartisi-sto-facebook/ "Ρουβίκωνας: Ελεύθερος ο Καλαϊτζίδης μετά το… σόου με τα αλεξίσφαιρα – Στις 28 Μαΐου η δίκη για μία ανάρτηση στο Facebook"