Protest rallies in central Athens organised by trade unions, student unions and leftist groups over the deadly train collision in Tempi concluded on Wednesday afternoon.
The large-scale mobilizations were held in Klafthmonos Square, Propylea on Panepistimiou Street and in Syntagma Square by trade unions who called a 24-hour strike over the train crash, including the public-sector employees union federation ADEDY and the Athens Labour Center.
With demands for a full inquiry and an end to privatisations, protestors marched toward Syntagma Square and the Greek Parliament, where the main body of demonstrators reaching the square at around 15:00.
At the same time, the left-wing trade union faction PAME organised a separate rally and march to Parliament over the rail accident at Propylea, attending by labour organisations, federations, unions, students and pupils.
“This crime will not be covered up. Modern-Safe-Cheap Mass Transportation for the people. Against the criminal policy of profit,” is the slogan that dominates the demonstration, which extended from Omonia to Syntagma Square as people were constantly arriving in downtown Athens to protest.
Sunday rally
Police announced that 15 people were detained and that 7 arrests were made during the protest rallies. According to police sources, those arrested were caught in possession of items such as flares, stones, bats and hoods. They are being held at the state security police headquarters and will be led before a public prosecutor on Thursday.
Similar demonstrations were taking place in other Greek cities on Wednesday. There were minor clashes between protestors and police in Thessaloniki, where thousands turned out to demonstrate, and a large protest rally organised by students in Lamia and thousands took part in a rally and march held in Larissa. Protest rallies were also organised in the city of Ioannina, the port city of Patras, Chania and Heraklion on Crete and the island of Rhodes, among others.
The Piraeus Labour Center and Athens labour unions renewed their call for a mass protest gathering that will be held at Syntagma Square on Sunday (March 12) at 12:00 noon.
SOURCE; ANA-MPA
