Greeks rally against austerity, mark 40 years since student revolt Sun Nov 17, 2013 10:11pm IST By Renee Maltezou ATHENS (Reuters) - Thousands of Greeks protesting against austerity marched through the streets of Athens on Sunday to mark the 40th anniversary of a bloody student uprising against the then-ruling military junta. The annual march, a focal point for anti-government protesters, comes as Greeces European Union and International Monetary Fund lenders begin a new round of talks in Athens to decide whether to disburse more money under its bailout. More than 10,000 people rallied before parliament in the central Syntagma square, waving flags and banners reading IMF, EU out! A rally also took place in the second-biggest city of Thessaloniki. People, dont bow your heads, the crowd shouted as a police helicopter clattered overhead. About 7,000 police officers were deployed to the streets and scores in riot gear stood guard on the square, the scene of violent clashes in the past. Others chanted Never again Fascism! before moving some 3km to the embassy of the United States, which many believe backed the colonels in taking power and ruling Greece in 1967-74. People here are suffering - we cant go any lower, were at our limits and the kids have no future so theyre leaving, 48-year-old biologist Athena Pantra said from the rally. The troika should leave, not them, she said, referring to the trio of lenders who have kept Greece on a multi billion-euro lifeline since the crisis broke out nearly four years ago. The bailout has come at a price of tax rises and cuts to wages and pensions and the crisis, Greeces worst during peacetime, has forced thousands of business to shut, pushed up unemployment and eroded living standards. Nearly six in 10 young Greeks are without work, homelessness is on the rise and many have had their incomes and wages shrink to levels not seen in decades. We will continue the struggle for bread, education, freedom, said Independent Greeks lawmaker Notis Marias, echoing a popular slogan of the revolt. In order to abolish the bailout, kick out the troika from our country and regain Greece. (Writing by Karolina Tagaris; editing by Ralph Boulton)
Posted on: Mon, 18 Nov 2013 01:13:56 +0000
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