Thousands of civilians raised their voice at the Break Free event and walked together, claiming a peaceful, safe and dignified future for the planet. With flags, banners and by forming a peace sign with their bodies, with the Acropolis in the background, they sent a sonorous message against climate change, injustice and inequality by creating a powerful, peaceful and determined wave of change. Accompanied by the sound of instruments and music, the citizens of Athens danced, played, painted and flooded the city center with the feeling of unity and hope. The action’s success gives us hope and a sense of responsibility for closer cooperation with a common goal, to promote the progressive agenda even more and to make social claims even sharper.

ARCHELON’s volunteers together with everyone present, started their walk at Thissio and ended up in Zappeion, in a celebration full of rhythm and high spirits, framed by games, music and dancing. All together we left behind what binds us: hatred, fear and stereotypes, and made a step forward. We broke the bonds of pessimism, disappointment and the sense of resignation and we chose the optimism of claim and common action.

Yesterday’s peaceful action was organized within the frame of Break Free, a broader social alliance within which over 55 organizations, communities and initiatives as well as thousands of citizens come together with one common goal: the collective claim for a viable planet, with respect to democratic freedom and human rights.

Special thanks to the musicians of the Quilombo band, who gave a beat to the walk with their instruments, as well as to Remi & the Road and Athens Boogie who lifted our spirits with their Rock ‘n’ Roll music and dancing.

The alliance consists of the following institutions: SolidarityNow, ANIMA, APEIRON, Escape to Nature, ARCHELON, ActionAid Hellas, Animal Action - Greek Animal Welfare Fund, Aiesec, Break The Chain, Doctors without Borders, CheckPoint, Colour Youth, MEDITERRANEAN SOS Network, Greek Bangladesh Society, Hellenic Platform for Development, Greek Forum of Migrants, Greek Forum of Refugees, Greek Institute for Passive Houses, Fair Trade Hellas, Generation 2.0, GIVMED, Greenpeace, Positive Voice, HIGGS, iSea, IthacaLaundry, Callisto, Centre for Life, Klimaka, Klimax Plus, Afghan Community Migrants and Refugees in Greece, United Afghan’s Community in Greece, Congo Community, KROMA, MEDASSET, METAdrasi, Ouranio Tokso Families, Ecological Recycling Society, Drama Ecological Movement, United African Women Organization, Organization Earth, CISD, Pakistani- Greek Cultural Society, Passivistas, Shedia Street Magazine, Pir-A-ctive, Cultural Society of Greece and India, Plegma Cultural Society, Lalibela, Council for Migrant Incorporation, Scouts of Greece, Save Prasonisi, Save Asopos, Vouliwatch, WWF Hellas.

(translation: Betty Pagourdaki)