nivek
As Above So Below
Country descends into ANARCHY as hundreds of thousands riot and launch brutal attacks on cops
Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in cities across Greece to mark the second anniversary of a horror train collision that claimed the lives of 57 people. Protests were planned in more than 300 cities and towns in Greece and abroad, with fury levied at the government for its perceived inaction over the tragedy, in which a passenger train filled with students collided with a freight train in central Greece.A huge peaceful contingent made up of thousands of Greeks marched towards the parliament building in a moment of rare alignment across the political spectrum for Greeks incensed by the crash, deemed a symbol of institutional failure. Children and adults alike walked solemnly in remembrance of the victims. Demonstrations were overshadowed by a small minority of rioters, who clashed with police in the capital. Greeks marching today said the rioters were 'not accepted' by the majority.
Riot police fired volleys of tear gas and stun grenades into crowds in Athens as some protestors smashed paving stones and hurled Molotov cocktails into open areas. More than 5,000 officers are being deployed to the capital to manage potential unrest. The ambulance service said five people were taken to hospital, including a photographer hit in the head by one of the grenades.
Protests and a general strike were led by relatives of the 57 victims, who also urged focus on remembrance rather than politics. Large processions moved respectfully through Athens and Thessaloniki in what one called 'the most important day in our recent history by far'. Critics of the government say that politicians must be held accountable for the failures that led up to the crash in Tempe. So far only rail officials have been charged with any crimes.
'The full truth must come to light, and those responsible, no matter how high their position, must be held accountable,' said Yannis Panagopoulos, president of the General Confederation of Greek Workers, the country's largest labor union, which has backed Friday's strike. Transport employees added pressure on the conservative Mitsotakis government with a 24-hour train strike, a nationwide air traffic control strike, a ferry strike and a taxi strike.
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