The Greek government has promised to restore order in Athens by evicting refugees from abandoned buildings. In the early morning of Aug. 26, dozens of asylum seekers and migrants woke up to the frightening sound of a helicopter buzzing above them. Greek riot police were stationed outside, ready to evict them from two buildings that had been abandoned for years before they began living there. The evictions took place in the heart of Exarchia, a neighborhood in Athens renowned for progressive thought and anarchist activity. Since 2015, a few thousand of the 65,000 asylum seekers in Greece have found refuge in vacated buildings across Athens. These accommodations are commonly referred to as squats, and they offer a dignified alternative to overcrowded reception centers and refugee camps located far from public services and support networks. But police are now rapidly evicting refugees from squats to allegedly crack down on drug dealers. | 