London demo outside Greek embassy

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Vesna

[vesna]

Thursday, August 26, 2004

3:12 PM

vesna

London demo outside Greek embassy

 

 

LONDON DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE THE GREEK EMBASSY

Thursday, 26 August - 1pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just when the Greek authorities thought

they would celebrate the closing ceremony of the Olympics in peace, the

'disappeared' stray dogs made themselves heard once more ... this time through

a protest outside the Greek Embassy in London.

 

Although there was little time to

organise this demonstration and even less to publicise it, the word spread

and in the end we had a turnout of more than 40 people, plus two of our 7

Greekies, Bonzo and Kali. Many protesters brought with them hastily made

but very effective banners and there were small white coffins, with words:

R.I.P. Stray Dogs of Greece ............ and a pot of flowers, attached to

which was a sign saying: 'In memory of all the victims of poisoning'

.... these flowers were left in front of the embassy ...

 

 

 

Many of you are aware that this protest

was greatly supported by Anneka Svenska, an actress and TV presenter, who first

contacted me on 9 August, after returning from a holiday on Skiathos, where she

visited Helen's shelter (supported by GAR). Keen to help, we discussed

various ideas and we both felt that we had to do 'something' before the closing

ceremony of the Olympics takes place this Sunday. Anneka hoped to get a

few celebrities involved, but more importantly, get the attention of the

media. That she certainly did!!

 

Most of the protesters arrived between

12.30 & 1pm and Anneka had arranged for an embassy official, Mrs Valasso

Pouliou, to come out and accept her petition at 1pm. Mrs Pouliou in fact

came out about 5 minutes before Anneka arrived and I spoke to her about why we

were there, pointing out that Athens strays are not our only concern, but

that laws are not being enforced, that there will be countless future victims

of poisoning unless there's a massive increase in sterilisation of OWNED dogs

and cats [which breed, but their unwanted litters are usually 'disposed

of'].

I also made it clear that I'm in regular

contact with foreign AND Greek people in Greece, whose reports totally

contradict government press releases & propaganda. I showed Mrs

Pouliou pictures of Jimmy Samaras 'death-row' dog prison' in

Thessaloniki and asked how it was possible that he was still able to run

his so-called shelter, in view of all the evidence of neglect & abuse, which

was even shown on Greek TV in 4 very damning programmes (including clips

of dying and dead dogs and even cannibalism). Mrs Pouliou acknowledged

what I told her, saying she knew about this case, but could not explain why

Samaras is being allowed to continue collecting dogs.

 

And then Anneka arrived, like me,

'dressed for the occasion' (last night we were both busily transferring

pictures on white cotton tops and in Anneka's case, skirt as well, showing

poisoned and abused dogs ...) and after Mrs Pouliou was handed the

petition, Anneka addressed her with a few well chosen questions, which Mrs

Pouliou couldn't reply credibly. All of a sudden, at least half a dozen

photographers appeared in front of us (thanks to Anneka & her manager),

snapping away and asking us to move the banners this & that way. Mrs

Pouliou began to look uncomfortable and shortly afterwards went back inside the

embassy. To give her credit, she was not as defensive as I had expected

and agreed with many things Anneka and I said to her.

 

Many thanks to all who attended the demo -

your support was/is greatly appreciated.

 

 

What a pity the cars were parked there! They 'spoiled' the

effect!!

 

Yours for the Animals,

Vesna

 

P.S. If I hear of any articles etc, I

will let you know.

 

P.P.S. The above photos were taken

by me and are not as good as those taken by the photographers. I

hope that Anneka will manage to get a few copies from them, if we don't see

1-2 in a national newspaper this weekend ... fingers crossed folks!