With large demonstrations in Athens, Thessaloniki and other major Greek cities on Wednesday evening, thousands of workers, students, pensioners, young men and women sent a militant message of struggle against the escalation of authoritarianism and repression by the conservative New Democracy (ND) government.
Shouting slogans such as “Riot police, violence, authoritarianism, this is capitalism” and “Give money for Health and Education, not for repression and terrorism”, the protesters demanded substantial protection and strengthening of the public health system against the policy that leaves the working people unprotected in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Shouting slogans such as “Riot police, violence, authoritarianism, this is capitalism” and “Give money for Health and Education, not for repression and terrorism”, the protesters demanded substantial protection and strengthening of the public health system against the policy that leaves the working people unprotected in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Furthermore the demonstrators demanded, among other things, the immediate requisition of the private health sector including structures and personnel, the imposition of health protection measures in workplaces, universities, schools and means of transport, support of the workers' rights.
Yesterday's rallies come at a time when the ND government escalates police repression and authoritarianism – just a few days after the incidents of police terrorism in Nea Smyrni and Thessaloniki's Aristotle University – and the situation in public hospitals worsens day by way.
