I'm currently sitting in Annie's lounge with Adamos, watching the news. Thousands of people have filled the streets of Thessaloniki, angry at the austerity measures. One young man is filmed lighting a red flare, carrying it through the streets. Firecrackers can be heard every minute or so. The mayor is shown in one of the conference centers (Βελλίδειο Συνεδριακό Κέντρο) discussing the crisis while portly men in suits laugh in the background.
10 minutes later, and another channel shows the police using tear gas, with reporters and protesters alike covering their eyes, running away from the white billowing clouds. ET3 has recorded footage of protesters throwing bricks and lit flares into the vastly outnumbered police. The response is surprisingly restrained; a couple of police grapple with protesters, but I don't see any batons being used.
The students barricaded the university a couple of days ago, and are refusing to return for at least a week. Perhaps the entire term will be cancelled.
Live pictures (1800) show a more controlled situation; the squares are still filled with people, but stationary, banners drooping.
Here in Grevena, everyone is more restrained. Kids are rollerblading and skating outside the town library. We're hearing car horns every now and then, but things seem pretty normal at the moment. But then, the rallies are directed toward the prime minister, due to speak in the Congress Hall soon.
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Adamos invited me for a couple of beers at the Crescendo. The prime minister spoke on one screen, while ΠΑΟΚ played Εργοτέλης on another. No one had their eyes on the future of Greece. A roar went up as ΠΑΟΚ scored the first goal in the 68th minute. Silence followed the two goals Εργοτέλης in the 85th and 87th. We'll have to see if they do better against Tottenham Hotspur later this week.
The In-In was the venue for a light dinner of γύρος, pita and salad with Annie. Children sporadically appeared through the hedge behind us playing and shouting, oblivious to our stares.
10 minutes later, and another channel shows the police using tear gas, with reporters and protesters alike covering their eyes, running away from the white billowing clouds. ET3 has recorded footage of protesters throwing bricks and lit flares into the vastly outnumbered police. The response is surprisingly restrained; a couple of police grapple with protesters, but I don't see any batons being used.
The students barricaded the university a couple of days ago, and are refusing to return for at least a week. Perhaps the entire term will be cancelled.
Live pictures (1800) show a more controlled situation; the squares are still filled with people, but stationary, banners drooping.
Here in Grevena, everyone is more restrained. Kids are rollerblading and skating outside the town library. We're hearing car horns every now and then, but things seem pretty normal at the moment. But then, the rallies are directed toward the prime minister, due to speak in the Congress Hall soon.
****
Adamos invited me for a couple of beers at the Crescendo. The prime minister spoke on one screen, while ΠΑΟΚ played Εργοτέλης on another. No one had their eyes on the future of Greece. A roar went up as ΠΑΟΚ scored the first goal in the 68th minute. Silence followed the two goals Εργοτέλης in the 85th and 87th. We'll have to see if they do better against Tottenham Hotspur later this week.
The In-In was the venue for a light dinner of γύρος, pita and salad with Annie. Children sporadically appeared through the hedge behind us playing and shouting, oblivious to our stares.
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