Previous incidents at the Stadium – 17,000 people in the area according to the police – 9 arrests have been made
A new round of incidents, with chemicals and at least 8 injured, took place just before 4 pm at the Syntagma, in front of the Parliamentduring the march as part of the educational rally against the bill for the establishment of non-state universities.
During the incidents, at least 8 people were injured and taken to the hospital with head and respiratory injuries.
A group of people threw Molotov cocktails at the police forces in front of the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, with the police using chemicals.
The tension then moved to the lower side of Syntagma Square where a DIAS group was attacked with stones by strangers on Ermou Street, while hooded men set fire to waste bins at the junction of Mitropoleos and Filellini Streets, causing material damage to shops.
The blocs of the student associations participating in the pan-Hellenic university rally remain in front of the Parliament.
With a central slogan “The majority has spoken. Not at private universities. Degrees with merit. Free studies” protesters initially gathered in Propylaia expressing their disagreement and opposition to the Ministry of Education’s bill for the establishment of non-state universities. Among the demands of the student unions are, they say, the withdrawal of the bill for the establishment of private universities, exclusively public and truly free studies, an increase in state funding for universities for teachers, staff, infrastructure, degrees with value and free student care for everyone (student residences, food, transport). Teachers’ unions, students, labor unions and federations also participate in the rally.
There were previous incidents at the Stadium. According to the Police, shortly after 2:30 p.m. at the junction of Stadiou Street and Edouardou Lo Street, a group of individuals attacked with Molotov cocktails a MAT squad, which responded with the use of chemicals.
According to information at the place where the chemicals were dropped, Molotov cocktails were thrown at a hotel of Israeli interests.
The march takes place on the eve of the passing of the bill on non-state universities. According to the police, there are approximately 17,000 people in the area and 9 arrests have been made
The police are proceeding with emergency traffic regulations in the center of Athens as well as the school rally, OLME has also declared a strike, while ADEDY and the Athens Labor Center are taking part.
Also at 8 pm a feminist demonstration has been announced on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
According to EL.AS. the gatherings were expected to involve a large number of people from unions, labor centers, teachers, students and student associations as well as other institutions and collectives.
Through its announcement for International Women’s Day, POEDIN announced a work stoppage from 11:00 until the end of the working hours, a gathering in Klathmonos Square at 12:00 and a march to the Syntagma.
The measures of EL.AS.
In this context, in order to ensure the right of citizens to assemble, the Greek Police, as emphasized in a relevant announcement, will take the necessary traffic measures by carrying out diversions and traffic interruptions as the case may be, so as not to excessively disrupt the social and economic city life.
Specifically, the traffic regulations will be implemented gradually and on a case-by-case basis – where necessary and depending on the movement of the demonstrators – on streets:
perimeter of the Propylaea
of Omonia Square (Patision, Aiolou, etc.)
of Syntagma Square (Othonos, Amalia and Vasilissa Sofia avenues)
as well as on the University, Stadium and Academy roads.
EL.AS appeals to the drivers of the vehicles to avoid their movement on the above road axes until the completion of the gatherings – mobilisations.
Source: Skai
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