mikebrig writes:

Solidarity Campaign with Saloniki 7
c/o Dripht - dripht@di-ve.com

34 Rock bands, Political, Cultural and Social Organisations, Promoters, Publishers, Artists and Music Critics have presented a petition to the Greek Ambassador in Malta, in solidarity with the "Saloniki 7," namely Simon Chapman (English), Fernando Perez Gorraiz (Spanish), Carlos Martin Martinez (Spanish), Souleiman "Castro" Dakduk (Syrian), Spyros Tsitsas (Greek) and two Greek juveniles who were arrested on false charges following demonstrations at the EU Summit in Thessaloniki.

Five of the Saloniki 7, have been on hunger strike for between 38 and 55 days in protest against their imprisonment, and their health situation is in a precarious situation. Solidarity campaigns and actions are taking place all over the world.The signatories are appealing that bail is granted to all seven, and that one of the prisoners, Suleiman Dakduk -- a Syrian who has been living in exile in Crete for 18 years, and who is now threatened with deportation back to Syria where he faces torture and imprisonment for trade union activity -- be allowed to remain in Greece.

The signatories comprise the following rock bands, political, cultural and social organizations, promoters, publishers, artists and music critics: Dripht, Norm Rejection, The I Skandal, Subculture, Spirit of ’77, Cyberia, Forsaken, Elite Cookie Mode, Totema, Lumiere, Unlead-It, Minima Publishers, No Sweat Promotions, Reciprocal Records, Eric Montfort (Music Critic), Psychocandy Inc., Mel Schembri (Music Critic), Mauro Calleja (Music Critic, DJ, Producer), Kopri Koperattiva Ltd, Knight Music/Wilfrid Buttigieg, The Arts Collective, Erato Foundation, Animal Rights Malta.com, Justice For Mark Barnsley, Campaign Against Prison Slavery, The Guild, Moviment Graffitti, Inizjamed, Koperattiva Kummerc Gust, Grupp ghat-Tielet Dinja, Zminijietna, Alternattiva Demokratika Zghazagh -- Green Youth, Foundation of St. Francis for the Animals, Alternattiva Demokratika -- The Green Party.

A copy of the letter to the Ambassador is attached below this Press Release.

--
D-R-I-P-H-T

Nicky Morales - Vocals, Guitar
Patrick - Guitar
Mike Briguglio - Drums
Il-Fre - Bass

www.dripht.com

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SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN WITH SALONIKI 7
c/o Dripht - dripht@di-ve.com

His Excellency Mr.Costantin Yrocostopoulos
Greek Ambassador in Malta
48 Zachary Street
Valletta

14th November 2003

Your Excellency,

We, the undersigned, are appealing for justice for Simon Chapman (English), Fernando Perez Gorraiz (Spanish), Carlos Martin Martinez (Spanish), Souleiman "Castro" Dakduk (Syrian), Spyros Tsitsas (Greek) and two Greek juveniles, known as the Saloniki 7, who were arrested following demonstrations during the EU Summit in Thessaloniki.

We are very much concerned about the prisoners who are on hunger strike in protest against the circumstances of their arrests and imprisonment. The health of the hunger strikers is rapidly deteriorating.

We appeal that bail is granted to all seven, and that one of the prisoners, Suleiman "Castro" Dakduk -- a Syrian who has been living in exile in Crete for 18 years, and who is now threatened with deportation back to Syria where he faces torture and imprisonment for trade union activity -- be allowed to remain in Greece.

We join the international solidarity campaign with the Saloniki 7 and call for immediate justice.

Signatories:

Rock Bands

1 Dripht
2 Norm Rejection
3 The I Skandal
4 Subculture
5 Spirit of ‘77
6 Cyberia
7 Forsaken
8 Elite Cookie Mode
9 Totema
10 Lumiere
11 Unlead-It

Promoters, Publishers, Critics

12 Minima Publishers
13 No Sweat Promotions
14 Reciprocal Records
15 Eric Montfort (Music Critic)
16 Psychocandy Inc.
17 Mel Schembri (Music Critic)
18 Mauro Calleja (Music Critic, DJ, Producer)
19 Kopri Koperattiva Ltd
20 Knight Music/Wilfrid Buttigieg

NGOs

21 The Arts Collective
22 Erato Foundation
23 Animal Rights Malta.com
24 Justice For Mark Barnsley
25 Campaign Against Prison Slavery
26 The Guild
27 Moviment Graffitti
28 Inizjamed
29 Koperattiva Kummerc Gust
30 Grupp ghat-Tielet Dinja
31 Zminijietna
32 Alternattiva Demokratika Zghazagh - Green Youth
33 Foundation of St. Francis for the Animals

Political Parties

34 Alternattiva Demokratika -- The Green Party