Gold mining in Greece: stories of resistance and repression

Joseph Healy	Sep 16 (2 days ago)
to Noel, me

Hi Noel, Martin and Pete,

Can you publicise this event on Thursday which deals with the main environmental issue in Greece at present. This has led to riot police battling with villagers and protesters trying to preserv one of Europe's main ancient forests.

 

Cheers

Joseph

 

Gold mining in Greece: stories of resistance and repression

 

Come and hear first-hand accounts of resistance to gold mining in Greece by Eldorado Gold, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Thursday 19 September, 7 to 9pm, Unite House, 128 Theobald’s Road, Holborn, London, WC1X 8TN.
Nearest tube Holborn. See map at http://goo.gl/maps/KAWWX.

 

Under the pretext of a severe financial crisis Greece is reasserting its investor-friendly profile by opening up all goldmines across the country without regard to the threats that mining poses to the environment and to people’s livelihoods. Foreign investors are particularly welcome: fast track processes; tax relief; exception from damages; easy money; no royalties; no problems.

But the true picture is not so rosy! Sham public consultations, questionable deals designed to advance specific corporate interests and the slow but steady destruction of the environment have been met with resistance. The struggle to oppose Eldorado Gold’s plans to create an enormous open pit mine on Mount Kakavos and within the ancient forest of Skouries has succeeded in capturing people’s imagination and inspiring waves of solidarity across the country.

While organising their long campaign affected communities have learned a lot about Greek law; geology; environmental science; and the technologies of extraction. As they did so, they begun to ask questions about development, participation, human rights and the public interest. Their questions were answered by the riot police.

Now the people from Skouries are bringing this discussion to London. Lazaros Toskas, member of the Struggle Coordinating Committee of Megali Panagia, will share stories of resistance and repression, of mining, rights and the politics of development.

Other speakers from Corporate Watch, Greece Solidarity Campaign and London Mining Network.