DA Greece No Tyrants Day in Athens
By Eliana Klathis
Parallel to No Kings Day protests in the US and around the world, the Democrats Abroad organization held multiple No Tyrants Day protests, on Saturday October 18th, including a gathering in Athens, Greece, the birthplace of democracy.
Around 45 protestors gathered in Monastiraki Square at 2 pm, chanting: “The people united will never be divided,” “No Kings, No way, No fascists USA,” “When women, immigrants, LGBTQ, unions are under attack, what do we do? Stand up! Fight back!”
October 18th marked the second No Kings Day protest this year. It was the third largest protest in modern U.S. history, with more than seven million people in attendance in cities all over the US. Two million more demonstrators came out in October than for the first No Kings in June, showing President Donald Trump’s growing unpopularity.
The No Kings movement was started by progressive NGOs including 50501, Third Act Movement, American Federation of Teachers, and more, to stand up against the Trump administration's growing fascist tendencies and authoritarian policies. Growing controversy has been sparked by his actions such as sending National Guard units to American cities, attacking the media for speaking out against him, and investigating political opponents.
Americans living outside the US mounted demonstrations as well. Some were organized by NGOs including the fledgling Indivisibles Abroad organization, and Democrats Abroad members participated. Where Indivisibles did not yet have a presence, Democrats Abroad committees organized as No Tyrants protests to assure compliance with Federal Election Commission rules.
Jan Sanders, one of the organizers of the October 18 protest in Athens explained that everyone should care about this movement and the reasons behind it, because the number of dictators is on the rise around the world. Expressing her concern, she said, “It will result in the end of freedoms, if not of the earth. So, I think people need to wake up!”
President Trump responded to the protests by posting a series of AI generated videos on Truth Social, featuring him wearing a crown, flying a military jet over the protests in New York and dropping poop on demonstrators. The video was widely criticized in the US as ‘in extremely poor taste’ and ‘unpresidential.’
Most Americans living abroad, whether for short-term work or studies or for longer stays, share a deep concern for the welfare of the homeland. They vote in their home states and share opinions with friends and family. In recent years, those conversations have sometimes grown contentious.
Gina Billy, a co-organizer of the Democrats Abroad Greece protest advised, “Try to have common sense conversations with your friends, your neighbors, and encourage everyone you know to register to vote and to turn out to vote. This is how we win!”
##
Eliana Klathis is a member of Democrats Abroad Greece, Athens Chapter