Thread by @SCI_Belfast

A campaign by Greek activists saw far right party Golden Dawn declared a criminal group & its leaders jailed.

An SCI, @AriadneNetwork & @citizens_circle event is now examining lessons on tackling extremism from a new report by SCI & @rights360

See: socialchangeinitiative.com/golden-dawn-le…

Greek civil society led a campaign that successfully exposed Golden Dawn.

The report & today’s event examines the lessons for other societies facing extremism.

We’re delighted to be hearing from @eleni_takou of @rights360 in Greece & @BulldogShadow of @WStatesCenter in the US.

@rights360 is a civil society organisation in Greece. Learn more about its extensive work here: humanrights360.org

@WStatesCenter works to strengthen inclusive democracy in the US. Find out more here: westernstatescenter.org

Just over a year ago a Greek court declared far right party Golden Dawn a criminal organisation & imprisoned its leaders.

This was the culmination of a hard fought battle over many years by activists in Greece.

Share our new report: socialchangeinitiative.com/golden-dawn-le…

SCI Deputy Director Pádraic Quirk has welcomed the international audience to the event.

@eleni_takou now talks through the circumstances that fuelled growth of Golden Dawn.

On civil society, Eleni notes: 'What is important is that we started reacting from the very beginning'

Eleni says that as Golden Dawn rose to political prominence amid economic crisis in Greece, its gangs were attacking minorities.

The state effectively looked the other way, but civil society gathered data on attacks. Victims' stories proved vital to the later court action.

Eleni says activists should "never underestimate the data".

Collecting data about Golden Dawn attacks on vulnerable groups including migrants proved the scale of its activity.

This helped expose it as a criminal organisation.

See the data mapped here: valtousx.gr/en/

Now @BulldogShadow of @WStatesCenter details the growth of extremism in the US, including its deep roots in racism.

In the modern era, he cites how extremists have benefited from major political support, fuelling
'a treacherous moment in American democracy'.

@BulldogShadow of @WStatesCenter draws parallels between the US & the new report on the growth of Golden Dawn.

As in Greece, US extremists staged 'PR events', such as food deliveries in the pandemic, to attract support.

Capturing data on US extremism remains is a challenge.

With extremism rising in the US & internationally, @BulldogShadow said lessons from Greece were important.

He said the new report provides crucial lessons to assist those facing similar challenges around the globe: socialchangeinitiative.com/golden-dawn-le…

Unresolved issues from Greek history sowed the seeds for Golden Dawn to emerge.

Learn about the other contributing factors in our new report: socialchangeinitiative.com/golden-dawn-le…

See the interactive map created by activists in Greece cataloguing Golden Dawn’s racist attacks: valtousx.gr/en/

We were honoured to have permission to use the map's powerful artwork in our report & in three short films on the report’s contents: socialchangeinitiative.com/golden-dawn-le…

@BulldogShadow said there was a major challenge for #philanthropy to adapt to the needs of organisations defending democratic norms in the face of extremism in the US.

He told funders holding resources for crises: 'That day is now - American democracy needs your support.'

@eleni_takou told the global discussion of the need for collaboration between civil society & the various strands of progressive activism, if they are to effectively tackle extremism.

She shared the Greek slogan: 'We march separately - we strike together'

The event was closed by @TheoDunfey who said the discussion hosted by @citizens_circle @SCI_Belfast & @AriadneNetwork had opened up a vital debate on tackling extremism.

She thanked @eleni_takou & @BulldogShadow for their insights.

Find the report here: socialchangeinitiative.com/golden-dawn-le…