Anti-fascist demonstrators march in central Athens

By Magda Panoutsopoulou

ATHENS (AA) - An anti-fascist rally Saturday in central Athens saw thousands of demonstrators march after a call from leftist parties leftist affiliated unions and student associations.

Protesters came with a message to stop the escalation of fascist violence.

According to media sources, police used tear gas to control the crowds which provoked reaction from demonstrators, including former Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos from the left-wing Syriza party.

“What is happening at the moment is unacceptable. One year after the Golden Dawn conviction, a large anti-fascist march is blocked by the police while chemicals are used for no reason,” Tsakalotos later said in a tweet.

He said he went to the police chief and asked him who ordered the police action but said he did not receive a response.

“The government's treatment of the people who fight fascism is indicative of its tolerance of the snake’s egg,” he said.