THESSALONIKI VIGIL FOR VICTIMS OF I.C.E. VIOLENCE
by Linda Manney, Tony Patrinos and Randall Warner,
#AmericansInThessaloniki#
Since the beginning of February 2026, a group of DAGR members and our friends have been meeting on Sunday evenings at the White Tower, downtown Thessaloniki, to honor the memory of Renee Good, Alex Pretti and other people murdered by I.C.E. agents in the U.S.A. We were initially inspired by the ongoing candle light vigils at Mavili Square in central Athens, organized by Aliki Chapple and also held on Sunday evenings.
In Thessaloniki we have come together as a small but committed group of American, Greek, and international friends to express our deep sense of loss and to insist on justice for the victims. We find that being together every week helps us stay strong, and also keeps us focused on what we can do, both individually and collectively, to bring about positive social change.
Minneapolis was made an example. Now, I.C.E. is moving on other cities.
As we have been meeting in a popular location in the heart of Thessaloniki, we’ve had the opportunity to talk to a lot of people, both Greeks and internationals, about recent developments in the U.S.A. Some people we’ve met are well informed and express their strong support of our weekly vigil, while others are less informed but curious to hear more about what’s happening in the U.S.A. A small number of people we’ve met have been indifferent or opposed to our cause, their comments revealing their political leanings and / or lack of accurate information. In any case, it’s been a great learning experience for us to talk to people from the local community about current events in the U.S.A.
A curious passer-by stops for a closer look at the hand-drawn and assembled signs.
We plan to continue our weekly Sunday night vigils throughout the month of March 2026. If you should find yourself in downtown Thessaloniki on a Sunday night in March, please come by the White Tower and join us.
About the authors
The authors are members of DAGR Thessaloniki Chapter, as are some of the attendees. Linda Manney currently serves as the Thessaloniki Chapter Representative of Democrats Abroad Greece; Tony Patrinos is a member; and Randall Warner is DAGR Counsel, and former Thessaloniki Chapter Chair. The vigils, however, welcome anyone concerned about justice and the rule of law.
For further reading in English and Greek
English
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Alex_Pretti
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killing_of_Ren%C3%A9e_Good
Greek
- Parallaxi Magazine: https://parallaximag.gr/epikairotita/diethni/amerikanoi-thessalonikis-kata-ice-ayti-den-einai-i-ameriki-stin-opoia-megalosa
- ERT News: https://www.ertnews.gr/eidiseis/diethni/ipa-penthos-kai-orgi-sti-mineapoli-meta-tous-dyo-thanatous-politon-apo-sfaires-tis-ice/
- Euronews: https://gr.euronews.com/2026/01/25/minesota-orgh-gia-ton-8anato-toy-37xronoy-apo-thn-ice-pyra-twn-dhmokratikwn-kata-toy
- CNN-Greece: https://www.cnn.gr/kosmos/story/516354/mineapoli-i-dolofonia-preti-apo-praktores-tis-ice-ta-oria-tis-eksousias-kai-i-politiki-polosi
- LiFO: https://www.lifo.gr/now/world/mineapoli-nekri-mia-gynaika-meta-apo-pyrobolismoys-praktora-tis-ice