Following events of recent months concerning Greece is a complicated task. Living through them as a Greek is indeed a painful test. Finally, trying to document them is a real challenge.
Through their response to an unclear question put to them by the referendum on July 5, the Greek people sent a clear message of support to their European identity and to the Euro. An equally clear and loud statement was made in favor of a new economic policy mix. That said, people here are still divided on which policy will bring back normality and dignity in their lives.
Over the weekend, I attended and documented two rallies organized in Athens by the supporters of the "YES" and "NO" votes to Sunday's referendum respectively. If you would have expected that, after Sunday's clear vote in favor of the "NO," the two rallies should actually become one, you probably don't know us that well.
Thursday's event was a civilized and rather subdued rally, one could say a social gathering for a serious cause, one full of hope. In contrast, on Friday, Syntagma Square was the site of a well organized, militant demonstration, full of anger and rejection to the austerity program. It was the traditional right and left divide, and clearly there was an element of social divide as well.
UPDATE: July 12, 2015
It is customary for Greeks to take up every issue to the streets. As the crisis and the suspense about the Greek economy heightens, daily rallies are organized on short notice. Today, July 12, the leftist side of the Tsipras government gathered one more time at Syntagma Square to protest against the prospect of a deal with our Eurozone creditors which would lead to a new bailout program. During that same time, the government was negotiating the most difficult deal in recent years. An interesting element of today's rally was the march through the ranks by a group of anarchists who usually head towards their favorite neighborhood of Athens, Exarcheia, a common area of looting and destruction.
These photos were taken on Thursday, July 9th, Friday, July 10th and Sunday, July 12th in Athens.
You can view more of Margarita's work on her website: www.margaritamavromichalis.com
