Police deployed in Athens as thousands march on anniversary of Polytechnic Uprising

·

Police were deployed across the Greek city of Athens on Thursday as thousands attended marches to mark the anniversary of the 1973 Polytechnic Uprising that was brutally crushed by the military junta then ruling Greece.

The anniversary is marked each year by marches to the US Embassy in Athens, and the demonstrations have often, but not always, turned violent.

Around 5,000 police were deployed in Athens, where major streets were closed to traffic, and three subway stations along the demonstration route shut down.

Police outside the Athens Polytechnic university.

A helicopter and drones hovered over the central Syntagma Square and neighbouring districts through the day.

This year, the commemoration events began with a wreath laying ceremony at the Athens Polytechnic university, the site of a bloody clamp-down on November 17, 1973 when tanks smashed through the gates to crush the student revolt that heralded the end of the junta.

Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou laid a wreath at the memorial and said the Polytechnic Uprising anniversary serves as a “reminder that the struggle for democracy is constant and taxing.”

Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou.

“By honouring the memory of the victims – the Polytechnic students and activists – we acknowledge our debt to safeguard the quality of our institutions and our society’s openness,” Sakellaropoulou said.

The march that followed was led by a group of demonstrators carrying a blood-stained Greek flag from the 1973 uprising to the embassy. People march to the US Embassy to protest Washington’s support of the dictatorship in Greece at the time.

Protestors march as they shoot slogans during a rally, in Athens, Thursday, November 17, 2022. Photo: AP Photo/Michael Varaklas.

Demonstrators held banners reading “US and NATO get out, disengagement from war” and a few protesters wore T-shirts that read “Fight for peace and disarmament.” 

Brief tension broke out between police and protesters before the march reached the heavily guarded parliament on Syntagma square.

Heavy police presence.

Police said it detained 17 people in Athens’ Exarcheia district for checks ahead of the scheduled marches.

Source: Ekathimerini, AP News.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Oakleigh Grammar farewells the Class of 2025 with Graduation Dinner

Oakleigh Grammar’s Class of 2025 gathered for a night of celebration, reflection, and recognition at their Year 12 Graduation Dinner.

Saint Dimitrios Parish in Moonee Ponds marks 50 years with joyful festival

The annual Saint Demetrios Parish Festival in Moonee Ponds brought together parishioners, dignitaries, and performers on Sunday, October 26.

Burwood RSL donates $14,000 to support St Nectarios’ Cottage Kitchen

St Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Burwood has received a $14,000 ClubGrant from Burwood RSL to continue vital community work.

Greek Australian nurse Helen Zahos recognised for 25 years of humanitarian work

The NT’s Greek community is celebrating humanitarian nurse and paramedic Helen Zahos, recognised for her service to global health.

A decade on stage: GCM Creative Drama & Arts adult group celebrates ten years

Creative Drama & Arts celebrates the ten-year anniversary of their adult group, marked by their sold-out performance 'Girls in Crisis.'

You May Also Like

Associate Professor Socrates Dokos on the ‘strong future’ of biomedical engineering in Australia

Associate Professor Socrates Dokos from UNSW opens up on the ‘strong future’ of biomedical engineering in Australia.

Heritage NSW puts Paragon Café owner on notice to restore historic site

The owner of the iconic Paragon Café in Katoomba, Sydney solicitor John Landerer, has been formally put on notice by Heritage NSW.

Auction at Nick Bourdaniotis’ Evzones exhibition in Canberra raises $15,000 for Greek school

'The Evzones Collection by Nick Bourdaniotis,' was on display at the Hellenic Club in Canberra over the weekend and everyone loved it.