Andrew Tate fans swarmed the center of Greece's capital chanting 'Free Top G' and demanded for his r

November 06, 2024

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A mass of Andrew Tate fans streamed through Athens earlier this week.
They chanted "Free Top G," a term they coined in support of their "top gangster."
Tate and his brother were arrested in connection with a human trafficking and rape investigation.

A mass of Andrew Tate fans rallied in support of him in Athens earlier this week as he's being investigated in connection to human trafficking and rape allegations.

Videos of the protest circulated on social media this week, which amassed millions of views. The clips showed a large group of predominantly young men pumping their fists in the air and chanting, "Free top G! Free top G!"

—Skiourakic ❤ (@skiourakic) January 16, 2023

The phrase "top G" — shorthand for "top gangster" — has been popularized by Tate and his fans for anyone they deem to be respectable.

According to The Greek Reporter, protesters streamed through Syntagma Square, a central site in Greece's capital, and along the shopping district Ermou Street. In some videos, people could be seen holding up posters and demanding Tate's release from prison.

The protest seems to be in direct response to the Romanian government's ongoing investigation of Tate and his brother Tristan Tate. In December, Romanian authorities arrested the duo on suspicion of human trafficking and rape. The brothers are set to be detained in jail for 30 days during the investigation, as their most recent appeal to be released was denied.

—George Avg (@GeorgeAvg1) January 15, 2023

Amid the investigation, Tate has continued posting on Twitter to his audience of 4.6 million followers. He's made several conspiratorial and delusional claims that "the Matrix" — another term Tate and his fanbase use in reference to the movie franchise — is responsible for imprisoning him, and that its "agents" are out to get him. (Tate's lawyer, Eugen Vidineac, has even dismissed these claims.)

The Romanian government's investigation includes Andrew, Tristan, and two others who are accused of constructing an operation that exploited and forced women into making content for an online porn website.

A lawyer told Insider that Tate's biggest legal challenge will be his own public statements on rape and exploitation that he's made in the past. In October 2017, Tate went on a Twitter rant about women who came forward with sexual harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein. He said the women could not call themselves victims if they "put [themselves] in a position to be raped." Tate has made countless troubling and misogynistic remarks over the years.

Tate's most recent tweet on Wednesday said he was going to give one of his five visitation spots to Adin Ross, a popular streamer who quickly came to Tate's defense after he was arrested.

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