Thousands protest against austerity in Athens (VIDEO, PHOTOS)
Thousands of people demonstrated against the Greek government’s austerity policies in the center of Athens on Saturday. They also called for political and economic reforms, pay rises, and other social benefits.
The protesters gathered at the landmark Syntagma Square, located
just outside Greek parliament, and marched through the center of
the city carrying anti-EU and anti-austerity banners.
The march was organized by the All Workers Militant Front (PAME),
a coordination center for the Greek trade union movement, which
is closely connected to the Communist party. Aside from rejecting
austerity measures, the group calls for a 751 euro (US$940)
minimum monthly salary, 600 euro ($751) unemployment benefit,
free healthcare, the return of Christmas, Easter and summer
bonuses, and the abolition of the single property tax (ENFIA), as
well as other extra taxes that eat up family income.
One group of protesters commented on the ‘sickness’ of the Greek
economy by dressing as doctors and attaching a makeshift ‘euro’
intravenous drip to a mannequin covered in a white sheet.
“Resistance, struggle and popular alliance is the solution for
stable and permanent jobs for all, as well as the elimination of
tax-robbery and recovery of the recent years’ losses,” Greek
Communist Party (KKE) leader Dimitris Koutsoumbas told Greek
Reporter news portal. He also said they will meet again on
November 27 at the nationwide strike and called for “struggle
in order to open the way for the people’s interest and the
country’s future.”
There have already been several rallies in Athens against austerity and welfare policies imposed by the Greek government, the European Union (EU), and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in previous months. Greece has been at the center of the European debt crisis and has been forced to implement numerous austerity measures in order to receive international credits.
