Manolis Glezos giving a speech in Omonoia Square, Athens in 2015.

Manolis Glezos

“WHY DO I GO ON? WHY I AM DOING THIS WHEN I AM 92 YEARS AND TWO MONTHS OLD? I COULD, AFTER ALL, BE SITTING ON A SOFA IN SLIPPERS WITH MY FEET UP. SO WHY DO I DO THIS? YOU THINK THE MAN SITTING OPPOSITE YOU IS MANOLIS BUT YOU ARE WRONG. I AM NOT HIM. AND I AM NOT HIM BECAUSE I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN THAT EVERY TIME SOMEONE WAS ABOUT TO BE EXECUTED DURING WWII, THEY SAID: 'DON'T FORGET ME. WHEN YOU SAY GOOD MORNING, THINK OF ME. WHEN YOU RAISE A GLASS, SAY MY NAME.' AND THAT IS WHAT I AM DOING TALKING TO YOU, OR DOING ANY OF THIS. THE MAN YOU SEE BEFORE YOU IS ALL THOSE PEOPLE. AND ALL THIS IS ABOUT NOT FORGETTING THEM.”

On 30 May 1941 Glezos and Apostolos Santas climbed on the Acropolis and tore down the swastika.

On 3 March 1948, he was put to trial for his political convictions and sentenced to death multiple times by the right-wing government.

His death penalties were reduced to a life sentence in 1950.

On 5 December 1958 he was arrested again and convicted for espionage, which was common pretext for the persecution of the supporters of the left during the Cold War.

His release on 15 December 1962 was a result of the public outcry in Greece and abroad, including winning the Lenin Peace Prize.

Post-war period

10/6/2018

After the restoration of democracy in Greece in 1974, Glezos participated in the reviving of EDA.

In 1984 he was elected Member of the European Parliament.

He was the President of EDA from 1985 until 1989.

10/6/2018

In March 2010, Glezos was participating in a protest demonstration in Athens, when he was hit in the face by a police tear gas canister. He was carried away injured.

In February 2012, Glezos was arrested by riot police while protesting in Athens.He was sprayed with teargas by one of the police officers in that area.

10/6/2018

Considering all the accomplishments and brave actions of Manolis Glezos, the only thoughts that come into my mind are a deep feeling of inspiration, admiration and respect. We are talking about a great and rare historic figure of both humanism and heroism, features that are unfortunately missing from today’s youth.

The way that this kind hero inspires me, is the fact that every one of us should fight for ideals and beliefs, regardless of age or any difficult conditions or circumstances in life.

Manolis Glezos has taught us that hard times don’t create heroes. It is during the hard times when the “hero” within us is revealed…

Images: Google images –Information on Manolis Glezos

Texts: Wikipedia – Google – Manolis Glezos Biography.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME…