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liamliam
02-09-2013, 08:35 PM
Examples: (and this has nothing to do with me trying to anger anyone from any of these nations, I am merely discussing the fact that racism isn't limited towards only countries outside of Europe, but much of it occurs from one European nation to the next. And for anyone wondering, yes I am Irish and I was born and raised in South Dublin.)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albanophobia


Albanophobia or anti-albanianism is discrimination or prejudice towards Albanians as an ethnic group, described in countries with large Albanian population as immigrants, especially Greece and Italy[1][2][3] but also in countries with historical Albanian minorities such as the Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia.[4]
A similar term used with the same denotation is anti-albanianism[5] used in many sources similarly with albanophobia, although its similarities and/or differences are not defined.
Its opposite is Albanophilia.

It is considered that prejudices and mistreatment of Albanians to be still present in Greece.[8] According to a statement of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights, the Albanians are the most likely ethnic group in Greece to be killed by Greek law enforcement officials (28 May 2002, 153).[8] In addition, the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia (EUMC) singles out ethnic Albanians as principle targets of racism. Furthermore, the EUMC found that undocumented Albanian migrants "experience serious discrimination in employment, particularly with respect to the payment of wages and social security contributions".[8][8][9]
Prejudicial representations of Albanians and Albanian criminality (see Albanian mafia) by the Greek media is largely responsible for the social construction of negative stereotypes, in contrast to the commonly held belief that Greek society is neither xenophobic nor racist.[10]
During an official military parade in Athens, Greek soldiers chanted "They are Skopians, they are Albanians, we will make new clothes out of their skins".[11]

Serbia

The origins of anti-Albanian propaganda in Serbia started by the end of 19th century and the reason for this was the claims made by Serbian state on territories that were about to be controlled by Albanians after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire.[26] On the eve of the First Balkan War 1912, Serbian media have implemented a strong anti-Albanian campaign.[27]
In 1937, the Serbian Academy of Science and Arts, and more specifically the noted Serb scholar and political figure Vaso Čubrilović (1897-1990) wrote a memorandum entitled "The Expulsion of the Albanians" which dealt with the methods that should be used to expel Albanians including: creating a "psychosis" by bribing clergymen to encourage the Albanians to leave the country, enforcing the law to the letter, secretly razing Albanian inhabited villages, ruthless application of all police regulations, ruthless collection of taxes and the payment of all private and public debts, the requisitioning of all public and municipal pasture land, the cancellation of concessions, the withdrawal of permits to exercise an occupation, dismissal from government, the demolition of Albanian cemeteries and many other methods.[28]
During the end of 1980s and in the beginning of 1990s, in some occasions activities undertaken by Serbian officials in Kosovo have been marked as albanophobic.[29]
The Serbian media during Milošević's era was known to espouse Serb nationalism while promoting xenophobia toward the other ethnicities in Yugoslavia. Ethnic Albanians were commonly characterized in the media as anti-Yugoslav counter-revolutionaries, rapists, and a threat to the Serb nation.[30] During the Kosovo War, Serbian forces continually discriminating Kosovo Albanians:
A survey in Serbia showed that 40% of the Serbian population would not like Albanians to live in Serbia while 70% would not enter into a marriage with an Albanian individual

http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/No_to_Racism_against_Greeks_1/


Why this is important

Since the financial crisis in Greece has become the main subject and hit headlines, various stories appeared in the European mass media (especially the tabloid press, such like the German Bild), claiming that Greeks do not work hard enough, and expect the rest of Europeans to pay for the consequences of their laziness. It is very obvious that the Western media do everything possible to mock and slander the Greek people, who, at the same time, live in a tragedy, having seen their lives being degraded by the harsh austerity measures, imposed by the EU, IMF and the Greek government.

1) This is an unprecedented smear racist campaign against Greeks who, in fact work 42 hours per week comparing to 40.3 (the average in the rest of the 27 member states of the EU), while the average gross monthly wage is 803 euros (which is among the lowest in the EEA). More details can be found, also, in statistics released by Guardian and BBC
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2011/dec/08/europe-working-hours
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17155304

2) European citizens have been told that "they are helping the Greeks by sending money to them via their taxes, in order to support their failed economy" while at the same time "Greeks appear arrogant and unthankful to them". This is a very common and sad perception! We do understand the indignation of the European taxpayers who are forced to bail out the Greek State. Nonetheless it should be well explained to them that their money do not go to the Greek people but to the banks, the rich families and a handful of overpaid politicians. Also, the economic plans imposed by the IMF in Greece contributed to a further impoverishment of the population through unprecedented cuts in wages and pensions, dramatic reduction in social spending, sharp increase in unemployment, and loss of employment rights. Hence, the EU bailout does not help neither the Greeks, neither the European taxpayer. Thus, all this hate against Greek people is unfair and unjust.

3) There have, also, been voices that Greeks are tax-evaders who deserve to be punished. While we can understand that tax evasion in Greece is a plague, the mass media systematically avoid to mention that responsible for tax evasion is not the entire population, not the ordinary Greek citizen, but, mainly, wealthy families who ILLEGALLY manage to avoid taxes and the Greek Orthodox Church which owns immeasurable wealth and banking stocks, but has always been a subject of tax exclusion.

4) There are numerous sources confirming that the Greek police act oppressively against the crowd, use prohibited tear gases, punish and beat protesters without reason and arrest even those who do not participate in the protests, while, most of the Western media, systematically obscure the violence coming from this side. We have seen similar mass uprisings in the Arab World during 2011, also in Chile, in Spain and Portugal, where journalists were openly taking the side of the people, but unlikely in Greece the reports are mixed up with lies, aiming to blame the Greek protesters.

5) It is, also, said that "Greeks cheated in order to join the Eurozone". But we all know that it was not the Greek people who 'cooked the books', but their dishonest leaders. Greek citizens feel very much ashamed and embarrassed about this, and, perhaps, they would not allow them join the Euro via illegal means. On the contrary, the Greek people would support any action taken from the EU against their previous leaders and MPs.

We believe that this is unacceptable and we seek for immediate action to reverse this hate campaign. As racism against minorities, (such like Roma, Muslims, Africans) is considered illegal, similarly, the Greeks should be protected by such vulgar stereotypes based on false propaganda and lies.

Therefore, we call for a general re-information about the Greek situation, and, at the same time, the media should do everything possible to abandon their hatred against the Greek population and all the nations of south Europe who face similar challenges.

We also, do not justify irrational nationalistic sentiments, no matter from where they come. The purpose of this petition is to inform the people of Europe regarding the dramatic reality in Greece and re-think about what they have been told. We are fully aware about the paranoid nationalism and aggressiveness of hate groups in Greece, such like the Golden Dawn or religious fundamentalists organizations, and we strongly condemn their actions against immigrants, either other European nations. Nonetheless, the people of Europe should make more efforts to understand the life conditions of the Greeks, and the fact that suicides have been increased (almost 4.000 in 3 years). This is NOT a funny situation! On the contrary, it is an unfair condition that requires compassion and solidarity, as if someday, any other nation of Europe will confront similar threats, the Greek people will openly offer their support.


Polish thugs attack English-speaking fans and hurl racist abuse at Holland stars as trouble flares at start of Euro 2012
About 50 hooligans punch and kick foreign supporters at a pub in Lodz, Poland
Masked thugs targeted fans speaking English and Russian
Dutch players complain they were subjected to monkey chants during training in Krakow
Holland captain Mark van Bommel warns that players will walk off the pitch if racism continues
Abuse came after Holland squad visited former Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz
Rio Ferdinand tweets: 'Hope this isn't a sign of things to come'
Sports Minister Hugh Robertson urges authorities to 'stamp down' on racism at the tournament in Poland and Ukraine, which begins today
By ROB PREECE

PUBLISHED: 09:20, 8 June 2012 | UPDATED: 18:04, 9 July 2012

Comments (458)
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Trouble has erupted hours before the start of the Euro 2012 football tournament, with local thugs attacking English-speaking fans and hurling racist abuse at star players.

About 50 hooligans punched and kicked foreign football fans speaking English and Russian as they drank in a pub in the central Polish city of Lodz.

The fighting broke out after Dutch players complained they were subjected to monkey chants while training in another Polish city, where the England team is based.

Fears are growing that the tournament, which starts today, could be ruined by neo-Nazi rioters in host countries Poland and Ukraine.


'If it occurs I would expect the authorities to stamp down on it in the strongest possible terms.'
Mr Robertson would not comment on the Dutch incident, which comes after pictures emerged of machetes and other knives confiscated from Polish fans by police.


Witnesses to the violence said masked men pulled up in cars next to a pub and attacked anyone in sight, throwing punches and kicks.
The attackers were described as young men wearing club colours of local team LKS Lodz.
'When they started to hit out, we fled inside,' one victim said. 'We barricaded the entrance.
'Some of us remained outside, and they got the brunt of the attack.'
Two men were injured in the attack, which happened last night.
'They forced two younger men to the ground, with multiple attackers starting to punch and kick them,' a Polish witness said.
'It was a horrible sight. I fumbled for my phone and called the police.
'They were lying motionless on the pavement. I thought they were dead.

After a couple of minutes, one of them started to get up, and then the second. I was very relieved.'
The thugs appeared to target foreigners, and the owner of the pub refused to press charges out of fear for retaliation attacks.
Before the incident, the visitors were reported to be talking and chanting in English and Russian.

The insults began when the squad went on a two-lap jog around the pitch. The abuse was said to have been even louder on the players' second circuit.

Poland's feared SWAT-style public order police squad are on high alert for rioters and thugs at Euro 2012.
The elite GROM - translated as Lightning Squad - have been rehearsing anti-riot tactics and simulated hostage rescues for weeks before.
Snipers on building roofs and elite officers from Poland's notorious Riot Squad and Anti-Terrorist Unit will back up the GROM officers, who wear all black.
Police are equipped with portable tear gas machines, pump action shotguns with plastic baton rounds.
They have been given handguns with live 9mm rounds, handcuffs, pepper spray, body armour, helmets and shields.
They will also carry special pistols firing red dye capsules so rioters who get away can be identified later.
All the units have carried out terrifying public shows of strength with live training assaults on buses and simulated riots.
The ruthless reputation of the riot police is a hangover from Poland's communist days when they were used to viciously suppress democracy campaigners and described as the 'beating heart of the state'.

Dutch captain Mark van Bommel responded by telling his team-mates to pick up their kit and move to the other end of the pitch to continue their warm-up.

Van Bommel said: ‘It is a real disgrace, especially after getting back from Auschwitz to be confronted with this.
‘We will take it up with (European football's governing body) UEFA and, if it happens at matches, we will talk to the referee and ask him to take us off the field.’
In a press conference with Dutch media, some of whom did not report the chanting, the captain said: ‘You need to open your ears.
‘If you did hear it and you don’t want to hear it, that’s even worse.’
Van Bommel was supported by the Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk, who said: ‘At least now we know what we can encounter here,’ before adding sarcastically: ‘Very atmospheric.’



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/euro-2012-video-irish-fans-872394


"Running for our lives": Irish fan describes moment supporters were attacked by Polish thugs - video

11 Jun 2012 08:03
Fans were knocked to the floor where they were kicked and punched before the thugs fled

The tournament was rocked yet again by violent clashes when Irish and Croatian fans were attacked by Polish thugs in the city of Poznan.

Mobs were seen fighting on the streets in the early hours of yesterday morning ahead of the opening group game last night.

Fans were knocked to the floor where they were kicked and punched before the thugs fled.

By Jeremy Armstrong 7 Comments
"Running for our lives": Irish fan describes moment supporters were attacked by Polish thugs - video

11 Jun 2012 08:03
Fans were knocked to the floor where they were kicked and punched before the thugs fled


Street-fighting: Fans clash on the streets of Poznan
CEN
The tournament was rocked yet again by violent clashes when Irish and Croatian fans were attacked by Polish thugs in the city of Poznan.

Mobs were seen fighting on the streets in the early hours of yesterday morning ahead of the opening group game last night.

Fans were knocked to the floor where they were kicked and punched before the thugs fled.

Trouble flares: Fans used chairs as missiles
CEN
Ireland supporter John O'Rourke, 34, said: "It was mental, one minute we were drinking beer and having a really great time. The next we were running for our lives."

Local Michal Smyla, caught up in the violence when suddenly surrounded by louts, added: "I was having a beer with friends when some guy in a mask grabbed me by the neck and punched me full in the face."

It was the second incident in Poland where masked yobs have launched lightning attacks on visiting football fans.

In the first swoop, Polish hooligans beat up a group of English-speaking fans in the city of Lodz.

Witnesses said cars containing 50 men wearing the colours of local team LKS Lodz screeched to a halt outside a pub where supporters were chanting in English and Russian on Thursday.

It was the second incident in Poland where masked yobs have launched lightning attacks on visiting football fans.

In the first swoop, Polish hooligans beat up a group of English-speaking fans in the city of Lodz.



Shocking video has also emerged of Russian thugs beating a Polish steward senseless in an unprovoked stadium attack in the Polish city of Wroclaw.

The man in charge of the UK's policing operation at Euro 2012 said England fans are being viewed as potential victims of soccer hooliganism, rather than aggressors.

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Holt also urged groups of supporters to "look out for each other".

He said: "We don't expect our own fans to cause any trouble at this tournament and know the Ukraine authorities will take very robust action if violent incidents occur."

He warned fans not to drink too much and not to stray from tourist areas in case they are targeted.

He added: "If English supporters stray into more remote areas they will obviously be at greater risk."

arcticwolf
02-09-2013, 08:40 PM
You just can't help yourself can you?

Divide and conquer, eh? It don't work no more. We Euros can see through those schemes! ;)

American_Hispanist
02-09-2013, 08:41 PM
YhdVYfwciqo

End sectarianism in Northern Ireland.