ATHENS: "These are Alexis' nights"

 

Tuesday, December 9, 2008: UPDATE 18.58: POLICE SHOOT TENS OF SHOTS AGAINST THE STUDENTS IN PALAIO FALIRO

A short eye-witness report

Daytime in Athens was relatively calm. High school students attacked, once again, the riot police units outside the parliament on Syntagma Square. Eksarhia, through which we walked during the day, resembled a battlefield in limbo: burnt cars blocking off its main streets; Stournari Ave is completely smashed up, barricades constantly burning across it.

Alexandros Grigoropoulos

 

Most groups have retreated in the universities (NTUA and the University of Economics). Assemblies were held there during the day, to plan out the next few days. However - a group of up to 400 people is still in the southern suburb of Palaio Faliro, where Alexis' funeral was held this morning. They are quite literally rioting their way into the city centre. There, it is assumed that they will try to join either the occupations of the NTUA or the University of Economics.

The breaking news is that the police have shot at least ten times against demonstrators in Palaio Faliro. Meanwhile, at the University of Economics, at least four units of the riot police are encircling the campus and trying to push the demonstrators inside.

A beautiful slogan is echoing across the city: "ο λαός θα πεί την τελευταία λέξη/ αυτές οι νύχτες είναι του αλέξη" - "the people will have the last word/ these are Alexis' nights".

 

• <div>Tuesday, December 9, 2008: Updates from Athens and Patras 9:07 pm</div>

PATRAS

The anarchist block was attacked and chased by riot police and fascists. Demonstrators found shelter in friendly flats in groups of tens and twenties; fascists and undercover cops attacked them from the streets, smashing up windows.

UNCONFIRMED: It is rumored that the fascists were transported from Athens and provided with tear gas by the police.

ATHENS

Heavy clashes with the police outside the NTUA (National Technical University of Athens) continue. The situation at the Economics University is calm.

SOURCE: Irregular updates on the situation in Greece, in English http://www.occupiedlondon.org/blog/

 

• <div>VIDEO Protests as Athens funeral held http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7772645.stm</div>