Freedom of Species

In 2008 during the Greek Austerity riots, a strange phenomena was born. Stray dogs began joining in the protests in Athens Greece against the IMF and their austerity measures directed toward every day citizens. These good boys and girls would voluntarily join protests and actively try to protect protesters against the police and their violence, siding always with the demonstrators. Photographers and videographers were the first to notice that the same dogs were turning up day after day, barking at the police, grabbing and running away with tear gas cannisters and otherwise trying to help their human comrades. They became known as the Riot Dogs.... And again in Chile during the 2011-2013 student protests, arguably of the most famous of the riot dogs, The Black Matapacos, joined the protests to protect his human comrades in the fight against oppressive neoliberal policies. From the actions of these brave dogs spawned an avalanche of songs, artwork, documentaries and even a game celebrating their inspiration and their lives. This is their story... Music played on the live show: Riot Dog by David Rovics https://davidrovics.bandcamp.com/track/riot-dog Loukanikos by Star Persona https://youtu.be/triuS71P4OU?si=tFXgXc4bDlJm8T4n Negro Matapacos by Nico Fufu https://youtu.be/E7fwn76LN-s?si=czOAKivC8h-UKXFW Negro Matapacos by Sr Soya https://youtu.be/cy_X1GYlxX8?si=BTNFlpua0DJEyVQ1