Oxi wins the day at Melbourne solidarity rally

On Saturday 5 July, around 150 people rallied outside Parliament in Melbourne. They came to stand in solidarity with the Greek people, against austerity and to say Oxi (no). It was a dank day, but nothing could dampen their determination.

The protest was one of hundreds held across the world since the referendum in Greece was called.

Handmade signs and banners littered the demonstration and most had one thing in common: the word Oxi. This is despite the organisers saying that the rally had been called neither in support of a yes or no vote in the referendum.

The tone of the demonstration was set early on. One of the first speakers, claiming the rally was neither for a yes or no, was regularly interrupted by people calling out “Oxi!” Eventually, individual voices joined together in a spontaneous chant of “Oxi! Oxi! Oxi!” This chant would start up again and again throughout the demonstration.

Greece has been ravaged by austerity for the last five years. Common themes dotted conversations with the plumbers, nurses, clerical workers and students who assembled on the street.

People spoke of the rise in unemployment, cuts to basic social services and attacks on workers and students. They spoke about the array of powerful forces allied against the no vote, from the politicians in Europe to the rich in Greece, and the media campaign selling their line.

But they also spoke proudly of resistance, over the past five years and the need that it continues if austerity is to be beaten back.