Police detain and verbally abuse Association of African Women members

The irregular detainment took place on Monday night at 9:00 p.m. in Kerameikos, outside the area where the three women were participating in a theatrical rehearsal of a joint team of the Association of African Women and activist group Theatre of the Oppressed. Despite persistent questions from the women and others present as to why they were being detained, police responded defiantly saying they considered them suspect (without, naming an offense). The officers, who did not carry identification number badges, refused to give their names. They only recorded the registration number of the police van (EA 20281).

The three women were detained for two hours at the Aliens Directorate of Attica police at Petrou Ralli Street. Their lawyer was threatened by police director Kalyvas "I'll handcuff you if you don't leave now," having stuck his face right in her face.

"They led us, three women, in a room with 35 other people, who were all men, I counted them. When I asked the officer if there is room for other women, she said "do not talk bitch, this is Greece. If you were a man I would have grabbed you by the hair!" said Ms McCauley, who wondered: “The procedure followed was completely unnecessary. With a phone, a policeman can call and be updated by the Aliens Department, without any need to bring people to the station for questioning.”

"It is unfair. Why give us legal documents? There is no reason for not having the respect. After 32 years in Greece, I can not believe what state we live. My daughter could not believe it," she added.

“I left Sierra Leone, for this reason. Not for money or economic reasons, but to find freedom. And now this! This is what I wanted to get away from,” she says

Ms McCauley, who is founder and president of the Association of African Women, said she felt that she was being ridiculed for no reason whatsoever. She recounts that African women are now facing more racism than usual because of the embola epidemic.

However, as she said, generalizations about racism are unfair. She notes that she has found many Greeks that embraced her and her family, but notes that racism does exist, and something has to be done.

Her answer: coming together, coming into contact, learning about others. To this end, as part of their ongoing efforts the Association of African Women is holding the 4th Solidarity and Culture. festival which will take place on the 13 & 14 September, 2014 at Platea Klathmonos.