1. Views of Greeks on MigrationAn Ongoing Debate T. Bakker, V.Tsiligiri & A. Gkiouleka

2. Current situation Fourth year of economic crisis. Golden Dawn in the parliament after theelections of 2012 (7%). Rise of racist attacks. Law 3838/10 judged as unconstitutional fromthe High Court. Xenios Zeus operation. 3. Expectations Racist feelings among Athenian population. More negative attitudes among Atheniansliving in areas with high immigrantssegregation. High level of perceived threat and differencebetween women and men. 4. Methodology Observation in various areas of Athens. Interviews: semi-structured, open questions,attention to threatening questions. Documentation of general discussions thatcame to attention during the winter course. 5. Map 6. ObservationsRemarkably decreased number of migrants inthe city center. 7. National identity is salient in the streets(flags, slogans, commercial labels). 8. Graffiti: A symbolic battle on the wallsFOREIGNERS OUTSIDE GREECE AI SIHTIR 9. NATIONAL FRONTNATIONALISMTHE MORE THEYSTEAL OUR LIFE, THEMORE THEY FEED USWITH NATION ANDRACE 10. WE BECAME IMMIGRANTS IN OURNEIGHBOURHOODOUR GRANDPARENTS REFUGEESOUR PARENTS IMMIGRANTSWE RACISTS??? 11. FOREIGNERS OUTSIDEBEAT THE FASCISTS, DARLING 12. 21 Interviews Respondents characteristicsGender: 14 women / 7 menAge range: 18-30: 9 respondents 31-50: 7 respondents 51 and older: 5 respondentsEmployment Status: 4 pensioners 7 university students 1 unemployed 9 employed (shop owners, private sector employees, streetmerchant) 13. General Findings Economic crisis and immigration stronglyconnected in the public discourse. Concern about the large number ofimmigrants. Criminality associated with economic crisisand strongly linked with immigrants. Immigrants mostly visible in the labor market. 14. Respondents with negative attitudes Most negative attitudes expressed in the areas withlarge numbers of immigrants. Certain ethnic groups are more stigmatized (Pakistani,Afghan, Bangladeshi, Iraqi) Perceived threat expressed mostly by women (physicalviolence associated mostly with men, less withimmigrants). Imputation of disrespect for human life to migrants. Denial of being racist. Lack of inter-group relationships. 15. Respondents with positive attitudes Racism is a diachronic phenomenon. Personal threat from Golden Dawn. Fear of being portrayed as racists. Personal relationships with migrants. Immigrants seen as the scapegoats of theeconomic and social crisis. 16. Impressions from the respondentsbehaviour Differences in willingness to talk. Hot topic, taken very seriously. No hesitation of mentioning extreme negativethoughts. Distinction mentioned between the notion offoreigner and immigrant. 17. Conclusions & Suggestions Immigration is considered as a phenomenon tobe handled seriously. The situation is perceived in contradicting waysamong people. Further research for deeper understandingshould take place on a larger scale (time &sample). Focus also should be given to the influence ofdominant public discourse (mass & social media),political orientation and contacts with migrants.