This time we came across the following announcement:
"A colourful action in the center of Athens
On Sunday 26th March, put on comfortable and colorful clothes, take whistles and come with us from Thissio to Zappeion in a colourful and peaceful walk against what binds us: injustice, inequality, discrimination and climate change!
The walk will take place in the framework of the Break Free Global Umbrella from March 12th to March 31st. Organizations, communities, initiatives and thousands of people from around the world will carry out peaceful actions to protect the environment, human rights and social justice".

So we joined our voice with more than 50 co-operating organizations, movements, communities, initiatives and institutions in order to react collectively and peacefully to all forms of environmental degradation and social or political oppression. It was a celebration for freedom of expression, democracy, peace, the protection of the environment and all forms of life on the planet.


We all gathered at the foot of the "sacred" rock of the Athens Acropolis - this amazing area, unique in the world, generating feelings of respect, distinction, splendour, triumph and immortality.

Each one in their own style
the shovel and the baby tree

We came together, happy to join the BreakFree2017 Alliance to take a step forward and claim a clean planet with justice and equality. There was an opportunity to become part of an unprecedented alliance that is carrying out parallel actions - for the first time more than 30 NGOs, groups, communities and ordinary citizens united for a walk in the center of Athens! Indeed, our future, as well as our planet, depends on how united we are. It was time to show that what unites us is more than what separates us. It was up to us to defeat the agenda of hatred, fear and discrimination.
With flags, banners and posters, forming a sign of peace with our bodies under the breathtaking background of the Acropolis, we sent a loud message against climate change, injustice and inequality, forming a colourful, peaceful and determined wave of change.





Under the sounds of percussion instruments and music, Athenian citizens danced, played, painted and flooded the city center with a sense of unity and hope.



The walk started from Thissio and ended up in Zappeion, in a ritual and joyful feast - games, music and dancing. We all left behind everything that binds us: hate, fear and stereotypes, and we took a step forward.
We said "No" to pessimism, disappointment and resignation and chose optimism and acting together instead.



Reforestation with Spiro
Eleni with BreakFree
Growing tomatoes on your balcony

In Greece - as in other countries - Social Activism is multidimensional and involves a wider social alliance bringing together millions of citizens with a different starting point but the same motivation: the collective claim for a viable planet, respecting democratic freedoms and human rights. Combating climate change, eliminating racism and xenophobia, opposing all forms of violation of our individual and collective rights, urgently require joint action.


What is the Break Free alliance?
Break Free began in 2016 as a global umbrella of direct actions against fossil fuels in 20 countries. In 2017, from 12 to 31 March, hundreds of actions were implemented in 35 countries.





The aim of the alliance is to create a common front that will magnify and promote every progressive, political and social claim.

The Break Free alliance called for an open participation in every organization and every citizen who wants to react collectively and peacefully to any form of environmental degradation and social or political oppression.

Here is what Break Free themselves are saying:

Break Free is a global wave of people taking a stand against dirty energy.

We are joining forces to protect communities in vulnerable situations from extreme weather, and from fossil corporations that have polluted our air, grabbed our land, and captured our governments. We are peaceful but united and determined. Join us to end the dirty energy era and bring about a just transition to a renewable future.
To help build this movement this online platform has been created. Everyone who shares our common values can participate in actions around the world or organise their own. Together we can end the dirty energy era and bring about a just transition with renewable solutions, which respect the rights and livelihoods of local communities, in which everyone can take part, and from which everyone can benefit.
Break Free is not a legal entity and is not intended to create any formal established legal personality, network or coalition. It is a platform through which people can take and create actions anywhere across the globe, whilst adhering to the agreed values.
In the midst of the hottest year in recorded history, tens of thousands of people on 6 continents did something that politicians have not: they took bold, courageous action to keep fossil fuels in the ground.
Each action was unique: from the coal fields of Germany, to the oil wells of Nigeria, to defiant actions against new coal power plant in Indonesia and the Philippines - and many places beyond.
But the purpose was the same: keep fossil fuels in the ground. Build a just transition to a new kind of 100% renewable economy. Do it now.
There has never been a better time than now to break free from fossil fuels. Coal, oil and gas companies are in a financial crisis, the planet is overheating, and - thanks to you, a global resistance is growing to confront the industry wherever they turn.

      The Greek islands
      Windsurfing in Paros
      Driving & cycling in Naxos
      One day cruise to Poros
      Relaxing holidays - Paxos
      Zakynthos and its turtles
      Chios, homeland of shipowners


The Break Free alliance organizations for Greece were as follows:
SolidarityNow, ActionAid Hellas, ANIMA, ARCHELON, Animal Action - Greek Animal Welfare Fund, Doctors Without Borders, Color Youth, Diktio Mesogeios Sos, Greek Community of Bangladesh, Hellenic Platform for Development, Greek Forum of Refugees, Greek Institute of Passive House, Fair Trade Hellas, Generation 2.0, Greenpeace, Givmed, iSea, Ithaca Laundry, Callisto, Klimaka (Suicide Help), Koispe, AMRCG (Community of Afghan Migrants and Refugees in Greece), (A.FG.U.GR) United Afghan's community in Greece, Hellenic community of-lubumbashi, MEDASSET, Metadrasi, OuranioToksoFamilies, ECOREC, Ecological Movement of Drama, United African Women Organization, Organization earth, CISD (Citizens Inspectorate for Sustainable Develpment), Passivistas, Shedia, Cultural Association of Greece of India, Cultural Association Plegma, Lalibela- Childern Support Organization, SEP, Save Prasonisi, Vouliwatch, WWF Hellas and HIGGS

Walk/photos by Helen Doumani




Copyright GreeceForVacation.com