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Monday, May. 21, 2012 |  Syndicate content

Protesters force Thessaloniki parade to be cancelled

Page last updated at 02:47 GMT, Friday, October 28, 2011 - 07:47 EST

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eKathimerini:

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The annual military parade in Thessaloniki to mark Greece’s entry into the Second World War in 1940 has been cancelled after hundreds of anti-austerity protesters blocked the route.

Police failed to disperse the large crowd so the parade, which was to be overseen by President Karolos Papoulias, could not take place.

Papoulias left the dignitaries’ platform shortly before 11.30 a.m. The president blasted the protesters, who included soccer fans, nationalists, former municipal employees and others protesting against the government's austerity measures.

“I am very sad that they are blackening the name of this city. It is a historic day that belongs to Greeks, not them,» said Papoulias, who objected to chants of «traitors» being directed at him and other dignitaries.

"I came to honor this city, it is shameful that these demeaning chants are being heard. It’s shameful that they are calling me a traitor when I have been fighting for my country since I was 15.”

Read the whole story: eKathimerini

Greece-World News