|
|
|
|
|
|
Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE January 18, 2007
|
|
| site design imagesparkle.com |
| May 06, 2006 |
Piraeus, Greece – European Social Forum |
|
| |
 |
| European Social Forum 2006 Banner |
The European Social Forum is an annual gathering of civil society groups, NGOs and activists working for social and economic change. Coming together once a year for an intensive weekend filled with workshops, teach-ins, lectures, and demonstrations, ESF is a space for like-minded individuals and organizations to connect and exchange ideas. With the slogan 'Another World is Possible,' ESF focuses on issues of anti-globalism, anti-racism, gender issues and environmental protection. This year the ESF was held in Athens, Greece from May 4th through 7th. The various activities drew ten thousand people from around the world. |
site design imagesparkle.com |
 |
| Peace Boat Global University students along with Peace Boat staff Akira Kawasaki and Jasna Bastic pose for a picture. |
Peace Boat sailed into Greece just in time to participate n the mass demonstration planned by ESF on May 6th. Ten Global University (GU) students and five Global English Training (GET) teachers joined thousands of protesters for a three hour march through central Athens. For many of the GU students, the ESF march was the first demonstration they’d taken part in. GU student Natsu Fujii said, “ I wanted to experience the march because I thought this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I wanted to be a part of history.” |
| |
 |
| One of the many large signs protesting nuclear weapons and the potential war on Iran. |
For around three hours, 60,000 people marched from Pedion Areos Park to Syntagma Square. Greek migrant workers, socialist groups, British peace activists and others loudly voiced their opposition to the US war in Iraq and the new pre-emptive threat on Iran. They sang songs and chanted slogans while carrying rainbow peace flags and protest signs. Yoko Sakaguchi who has participated in demonstrations in Japan noticed a huge difference. “Back in Japan, only a small number of people participate in demonstrations. Usually they are pushed to the side of the road and are escorted by the police.” At the ESF march, protesters occupied the entire street and blocked traffic for hours. |
| |
 |
| Athenian police standing on guard in front of the US Embassy. |
The march was relatively peaceful except for a small group of anarchists that broke store windows and set police cars on fire. Natsu was surprised to see Athens police armed with shields, batons and gas masks guarding the US and British embassies. Though they did not directly witness any violence, Peace Boat participants had to cover their eyes and nose from the stinging sprays of tear gas used by the police. GET teacher Levi Jacobs felt that the police used the tear gas unnecessarily, to deter the peaceful marchers . |
| |
 |
| Global University students show off their Peace Boat pride on their backs. |
Wearing their Peace Boat shirts, the participants marched along with the demonstration chanting “ No More Hiroshima, No more Hibakusha!” When the march ended later that evening, GU student Yo Furukawa commented, “Seeing so many people from all over the world come together in solidarity gave me hope that another world is truly possible.”
Resources
www.esf.com |
| |
|
|
|