Greece revolution – “can’t pay, wont pay” movement

After Egypt, Libya, now its Greece! Last few days are evidence of revolution in the middle east and north Africa. It started with Egypt and spread to Libya. A huge anti-government protest against Muammar Gaddafi’s 40-year rule.

Now the protest of Greek is an another example of democracy in action. They are protesting in support of “can’t pay, wont pay” movement which encourages people to stop paying the exhorbitant tolls on Greece’s awful roads or the public transport fares which went up 40% last week. They have blocked highway toll
booths to give traffic free passage. The ticket machines of the public transport have been covered by plastic bags so commuters can’t pay. Even doctors have been on strike for a week and have occupied the ministry of health. They are preventing patients from paying fees at state hospitals. They have brought Athens to a standstill.

Alekos Alavanos,a Greek politician, member of the Hellenic Parliament, former member of the European Parliament, parliamentary leader of the wider Coalition of the Radical Leff (SYRIZA), has called people to participate to February 23’s strike and urged them to stay in Syntagma Square.

Talking about the anger of Greeks about the strict austerity measure, Alavanos said :

“The anger of people without present, of a country without dignity and of a youth without future, has reached the rim of the glass. The anger is overflowing. Greece has also has youth, with a right to study, to work, to live and hope. The strike on February 23 is a great day”.

It is true that we can’t choose where to be born. But wherever we choose to live we have to follow certain social protocols and abide with certian laws and regulations/polocies. However our implicit promise to obey the government does not mean broad acceptance of its specific policies. A controversial policy does not become automatically legitimate because it has been enacted in parliament and become law. The decisions taken, policies formed should be in favour of nation and its people and they should not be made only to serve the bunch of selfish politicians.

The general and true statement of Abraham Lincon seems to be forgotten now a days:
“Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

People are more connected than ever today and it is good to see how todays social media is helping achieve greater good. We will remember all these for years to come.

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