4 years ago the oath taking of municipal councillors was a formal event that concerned nobody. This year, however, the oaths became the top media show but not because it is summer and there is no news. Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris yesterday took an oath with the Star of David on his lapel to emphasize that the Holocaust is not forgotten. The message found a response in Greece, because of the rise of the neo-Nazis, but also around the world, because of the propaganda war on the events in Israel and Gaza. District governor of Attica Rena Dourou, SYRIZA, drew the interest too as she took an oath not only without a priest, but also without complying with the state protocol.
Today, in Athens, the oath taking ceremony of Mayor George Kaminis and the municipal councillors took place, along with two demonstrations and a strong police presence. About 100 supporters of Golden Dawn gathered near Kerameikos, as the municipal radio station the amphitheatre of which hosted the ceremony is located there.
Nearby, on Iera Odos street, antifascist organizations gathered to protest against the election of Golden Dawn members of the municipal council in Athens. They held slogans, reading, "Pavlos lives and he is with us," dedicated to rapper Pavlos Fyssas who was murdered by neo-Nazi activists.
Spokesman of the organization Ilias Kasidiaris was on leave from prison for the oath taking ceremony where imprisoned leader Nikos Michalolyakos’ daughter Urania appeared too. Numerous parts of the riot forces had closed off the area in order to prevent clashes. Immediately after the oath, Kasidiaris was returned to Korydallos prison.
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