Greek far right faces charity drive ban

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - City authorities in Athens have banned a planned charity event by an extreme-right party in Greece, arguing that it is designed to "intentionally promote racism and xenophobia."

Mayor Giorgos Kaminis said he would block the Golden Dawn's party's plan to hand out food and clothing to Greeks only on Wednesday at Attica Square, in a rundown area of the capital.

Golden Dawn has seen a surge of support as the country's economy has tanked. The party has carried out frequent food distribution events at which its members check and record details of recipients' identity cards to ensure that non-Greeks are excluded.

The party said late Tuesday that it would defy the ban, and that its 18 members of parliament all would be present.