PICKETS IN NEW YORK DENOUNCE MILITARY COUP IN GREECE
On May 1 a picket line chanted slogans in front of the Greek consulate in New York denouncing the military coup a'état in Greece.
An unusual number of police formed in front of the consulate as well as in the entire area; but no incidents occurred and the pickets ended their demonstration on schedule to join the May Day gathering in Union Square.
One of the most interesting features of the action was its united front character. It was sponsored by a variety of groups, including the Socialist Workers party, the Communist party of the USA, the Young Socialist Alliance, the DuBois Clubs of America, Youth Against War and Fascism and the Movement for Puerto Rican Independence [MPI].
A joint delegation filed a statement with the consulate protesting the generals' seizure of power and their authoritarian decrees.
The statement pointed to the responsibility of "the U.S. State Department, the Pentagon and the CIA" in the reactionary coup.
"Since 1947 when the U.S. intervened in the Greek civil war with money, arms and military ‘advisors,'" said the statement, “Washington has backed the monarchists and militarists in Greece. Both Washington and the Greek elite fear the powerful upsurge of the Greek people aimed at ending monarchy and establishing a fully democratic regime.
"While Washington hypocritically claims to fight for 'freedom' in Vietnam," continued the statement, "it smiles benevolently at the erection of one more military government in the world." —
The statement called for protests throughout the world. "The possibility of a horrible blood bath like the one that followed the military takeover in Indonesia must be prevented. Demand an end to nilitary dictatorship, freedom for all political prisoners, hands off political parties, and students' and workers' organizations. Let the