After hearing the police chief out, the students went back inside and held an assembly on the cement bleachers to decide what to do. News came from another occupied school—students at all seven in the Zografou district voted overwhelmingly in favor of occupation—that the prosecutor had shown up there. Students there took down their occupation banner and filed out. As soon as the prosecutor left, the banner went back up and the students locked themselves in again. Students here decided to dodge the cops in a similar way.

Meanwhile, parents were clustered outside the gate. Some were supportive; others hurled insults and demanded their son or daughter "get out of there right now!"

This scene has been repeated with variations in hundreds of high schools as students wage a battle against the education reform law enacted last year and face the latest escalation in court and police attacks on their right to protest. "Now the mobilizations are for both questions," said Artemis, who is a student here. "Students are calm and resolved, not scared" by the threats of arrests.

"We are fighting the [education reform] law because of the incredible increase in subjects you must pass in order to go on to the next grade, as well as in order to enter university," said Georgia Kafetzi.

"There is a 200 percent rise in enrollment in private preparatory schools" for the last three years of school, added Andreas Kiltsiktsis.

"Education now plainly depends on your financial situation," said Artemis.

The parents assembly of this school voted to stand by whatever the students decide to do. The Teachers Federation, which supports the struggle, decided to hold three-hour work stoppages at any struck school that the cops open. In response, the government is now threatening to fire teachers who do not immediately enter a school that has been opened and take attendance.

Nearly 10,000 students and some teachers took to the streets the following day. The lead banner read, "Long live democracy: come and arrest us—we fight for our rights." Marches took place in 30 cities with dozens of arrests, though no students or parents remain in custody. "We will continue with marches and occupations," said Artemis. "Each school will find its own way to fight."

Three days later, this reporter witnessed the ongoing skirmish at the Second Zografou High School. Students had been barricaded inside since 5:30 a.m. When the cops came and broke the door chains at 9:00 a.m. the occupation turned into a strike, and students marched to the central square of Zografou and were joined by people from other area schools in blocking the main street.

Meanwhile, students at the junior high school, who had participated in the mobilizations up to now, went back in and their classes resumed. Though high school teachers were obliged to go to their classes, word was they were not taking attendance at this time.

With these flexible tactics, said Andreas Simopoulos, the president of the student council at the Second Zografou High School, "We have fought them to a stalemate. Actions are occurring both inside and outside the schools."  
 
 
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