Independent Rally of Citizens with Special Self-Identification
The Independent Rally of Citizens with Special Self-Identification or ASPIDA-ROM (Greek: Ανεξάρτητη Συσπείρωση Πολιτών Ιδιαίτερου Αυτοπροσδιορισμού ΡΟΜ - ΑΣΠΙΔΑ-ΡΟΜ) is a Greek political party established on January 15, 2006 to campaign for the rights of the Roma (what some people know as Gypsy) community in Greece. The Term ASPIDA is a common word in Greek, meaning shield. The main aim of the party is to achieve for Greek Roma and Sinti citizens the rights enjoyed by other Greek citizens. The party does not view Roma and Sinti in Greece as an ethnic minority but as Greek citizens. ASPIDA claims that there are around 600,000 Roma in Greece. The party has chosen a logo which includes the colors of the three main parties in Greece: blue, green and red. Its president and candidates for local and mayoral elections, which are due in October 2006, will be elected at a forthcoming party conference. The party spokesperson is Christos Lambrou. The party enjoys the support of the Panhellenic Confederation of Greek Roma (PACONGR).
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