Every year on November 17, students march through the streets to mark the anniversary of the 1973 student uprising at the Athens Polytechnic University. On this day, university students remember the inspiration they gave to thousands of Greeks to march against the Greek military junta.
According to government spokesman Stelios Petsas, however, this year’s annual march is unlikely to take place.
The spokesperson said that while the issue is a better of discussion with the other parties, he believed that in the end the march will be cancelled.
“If we have a ban, there is no sense in having any marches,” Petsas told private radio station Skai.
Petsas said the issuing of the new lockdown by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which will come into effect on Saturday morning, offered a message of unity and a call for politicians, scientists and citizens to cooperate to address the pandemic.
Last year, student protests at Athens University of Economics and Business turned violent as police fired gas and firecrackers to disperse aggravated protestors. Some students threw stones and scuffled with officers while others clapped and chanted slogans.
At the time, the Greek Prime Minister suggested that universities need to end political protesting, “mallets and molotov-cocktails”, and become a safe place of learning.
READ MORE: Tensions at Athens University rise as anniversary of ‘Athens Polytechnic Uprising’ approaches
