Tractors remain on the roads, as farmers’ mobilizations enter their most critical phase.

The nighttime aerial images from the Nikaia roadblock are telling: an endless line of lights and iron masses in the darkness, tents with lights on and barrels burning to fend off the biting cold.

The crucial “appointment” in Malgara

After a historic New Year’s Day that found them, for the first time ever, on the asphalt, farmers are intensifying discussions about their next steps.

The next 48 hours are considered decisive, as today, Friday, the coordinating body of the Nikaia roadblock meets, while tomorrow the large assembly of the farmers who have been at the site for over a month will take place.

Of pivotal importance, however, is the nationwide meeting scheduled for this coming Sunday in Malgara, where representatives from 50 roadblocks are expected to participate.

Those who have taken a stance in favor of dialogue do not intend to take part in the meeting.

Farmers at the roadblock at Prasina Fanaria in Thessaloniki have stated they remain firm in their position for immediate dialogue with the government. As they note, the roadblock is being reinforced and meetings are continuing in order to shape the agenda for dialogue with the government.

In Nikaia, the coordinating body of the roadblock will meet on Friday, and the following day the assembly of the farmers who have been there for 33 days will be held.

What the Roadblocks Committee emphasizes

In its relevant announcement and call, the Roadblocks Committee notes, among other things:
“Having the majority of the Greek people by our side, we have repelled every attempt by the government to slander and undermine our just struggle. Neither repression, nor social automation, nor calls for sham dialogues, nor mudslinging, slanders and pressures, nor attempts to break our unity with various ‘willing’ parties have managed to bend us. All they achieve is to increase our anger and determination in the face of the government’s intransigence.

We call on the roadblocks, by decisions of their General Assemblies, to participate in the new nationwide meeting to be held on Sunday, January 4, at 12 noon, in Malgara, in order to discuss the escalation of our struggle and our further actions.

We say it once again: we will not retreat. We will not withdraw with our heads bowed. We are not backing down. We are not afraid. We will not give in. We will not sell out. We will win, because our struggle is a struggle for survival.”