Protest groups plan 3 rallies in Greek capital

[Joanne98]

Source: IHT


ATHENS, Greece: Protest groups are planning three separate demonstrations in Greece's capital Friday while authorities promise tougher policing after last month's nationwide riots.

The rallies are being held in protest to government education reforms as well as Israeli attacks in Gaza.

The riots in December left hundreds of stores and bank branches across Greece damaged or destroyed. They were triggered by the Dec. 6 killing of a teenage boy by police.

A new deputy Cabinet minister named in charge of police has promised a "zero tolerance" approach to crime.



Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/01/09/europe/EU-Greece-Protests.php

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"Zero tolerance" I wonder where they learned that from.

[Hope And Change]

1. Well, the demonstrators will use the universities in order to "protect"...

themselves from the police because the Greek police are not allowed on universities' property unless requested by administrators.So the cat and mouse game will continue...

[Robbien]

2. Appears the protesters do not believe new promises the govt is making

It is probably good they are keeping up the protests.

[Hope And Change]

3. Yep, as long as they are peaceful.

[Joanne98]

4. Greek police fire teargas at stone throwing youths

Source: Reuters


ATHENS (Reuters) - Greek police fired teargas at hundreds of stone-throwing youths after an anti-government march in Athens Friday, sparking fears of a return to the street violence which rocked the country last month.

Several thousand students, teachers and public sector workers marched to parliament in protest at the conservative government's policies, just over a month after the police shooting of a teen-ager unleashed the worst riots in decades fed by anger at youth unemployment and political scandals.

"Schools not bombs. Funds for education" read one banner, while marchers chanted: "These are the government's last days." Many shouted slogans against the Israeli invasion of Gaza.

Hundreds of anarchists waving black flags and wearing gas masks broke away from the march outside the university and threw stones and bottles at police, who responded with teargas.

Riot police with shields shut down roads and detained dozens of demonstrators in central Athens, where business groups estimate last month's riots caused 1 billion euros in damage and lost business.

"Thousands of protesters walked peacefully to parliament until anarchists threw bottles and stones at police," said a police official who declined to be named. "Police are chasing them around the city centre and have begun to make arrests."



Read more: http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE5083Q420090109

[Joanne98]

5. Violence breaks out at Greek rally

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Masked youths have hurled rocks at police who responded with tear gas during fresh clashes in central Athens.
The fighting started after a group of violent demonstrators broke away from a student rally attended by several thousand people.
The rally Friday was the first demonstration since conservative Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis vowed to counter the «catastrophic violence» of nationwide riots in December.

The violence was sparked by the police's fatal shooting of a teenager on Dec. 6. The government has pledged to crack down against troublemakers.

http://www.pr-inside.com/violence-breaks-out-at-greek-rally-r996651.htm

[Joanne98]

6. On the Greek Riots

#38, 15:38 Massive Athens demo ends; people retreat in the university; air gun found by demonstrators; Patras and Thessaloniki demos set to start
16:28 At least 60 detentions so far. Police have surrounded the Law School and Propylea and make mass arrests. Mainstream media report there are around 8,000 police on the streets of Athens with clear orders to make mass arrests.

15:29 The first tear gas cannisters are being shot. The demonstrators are retreating in the university (Propylea).

Today’s demo in Athens was massive, with up to 10,000 taking the streets. The cops had tried to install an atmosphere of terror; they were to be seen literally everywhere.The anarchist block numbered around 2,000. Demonstrators found an air gun wrapped up in a newspaper (!) and handed it to the police - this could have been an attempt for yet another provocation.

An evening demonstration has also been called for 5pm. The demos in Thessaloniki and Patras start at 6; more reports to follow.

http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/2009/01/09/38-1538-massive-athens-demo-ends-people-retreat-in-the-university-air-gun-found-by-demonstrators-patras-demo-set-to-start/