Protesters showed their deep anger at the decision by Greek
authorities to deploy riot police for this year’s independence day
parade.
One woman described police as “traitors” for banning public access to a large part of the route.
The draconian measures were put in place amid deep resentment as Greece’s austerity measures continue to bite. Police said they were keen to protect politicians and other dignatories taking part in the annual march in central Athens.
Protester Nikolas Blezas said: “Look at what we’ve become. It’s as if we are under who knows what kind of regime. I’m not putting up with this.”
More than 4000 police were drafted in. Officials said they wanted to avoid the embarrassment caused last year when protesters gatecrashed a public event forcing the country’s president to leave early.
Today’s celebrations mark Greece’s independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821 beginning a war that lasted more than eleven years.
http://www.euronews.com/
One woman described police as “traitors” for banning public access to a large part of the route.
The draconian measures were put in place amid deep resentment as Greece’s austerity measures continue to bite. Police said they were keen to protect politicians and other dignatories taking part in the annual march in central Athens.
Protester Nikolas Blezas said: “Look at what we’ve become. It’s as if we are under who knows what kind of regime. I’m not putting up with this.”
More than 4000 police were drafted in. Officials said they wanted to avoid the embarrassment caused last year when protesters gatecrashed a public event forcing the country’s president to leave early.
Today’s celebrations mark Greece’s independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821 beginning a war that lasted more than eleven years.
http://www.euronews.com/
