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ATHENS, Greece - Demonstrators at an anarchist march Tuesday chanted slogans in support of Greece's deadly November 17 terrorist group but avoided confrontation with police.
More than a thousand people joined the central Athens rally, held to protest the police's alleged abuse of power since it cracked down on the once-elusive terrorist group and arrested 17 suspected members.
The far-left organization killed 23 people — including officials from Britain, Turkey and the United States — between 1975 and 2000.
Members of anarchist groups and supporters took part in the march which ended without incident. The city's main streets were closed to traffic for more than an hour, while more than 400 police officers in riot gear stood by.
Youths wearing black hoods and crash helmets sprayed slogans on the walls of Athens University and other downtown buildings. One said: "Respect for November 17," while another read: "Freedom for the fighters who never give up."
Police said the French companion of Alexandros Giotopoulos, the alleged November 17 leader, who is in prison custody, joined Tuesday's rally.
The arrests of November 17 suspects were triggered by a bungled bomb attack on June 29.
Anarchists groups have voiced protest against police Greece's news media since the crackdown started and have on several occasions attacked journalists and TV camera crews.
Government, political parties condemn pro-terrorist demonstration
Wed Oct 2,12:19 PM ET
ATHENS, Greece - The Socialist government and political parties on Wednesday condemned a demonstration by about 1,500 people who marched through Athens in support of Greece's deadliest terrorist group and chanted insults about some of its victims.
"We disagree ideologically and politically and ... felt some particularly bad feelings from some of the slogans that were heard," said government spokesman Christos Protopappas.
But he conceded the marchers had the right to voice their support for the November 17 group, which is blamed for killing 23 people — including 4 American officials — since 1975. The group's latest victim was British defense attache Stephen Saunders, gunned down in June 2000.
Although there have been some small gatherings in support of November 17, it was the first such rally to be held in Greece. Many demonstrators in Tuesday's march chanted slogans in favor of November 17 suspects in jail pending trial.
The group carried a mix of Marxists and ultra-nationalist outlooks. It is named for the day in 1973 when military rulers crushed a student-led protest.
Demonstrators also spray-painted pro-November 17 messages on the walls of Athens University and chanted slogans ridiculing November 17 victims.
"What is right is that Saunders is alone and needs another two," some of the demonstrators chanted.
Conservative deputy Dora Bakoyianni, a leading candidate for mayor of Athens in Oct. 13 elections, condemned the march. She is the widow of Pavlos Bakoyiannis, a popular conservative deputy, was killed by the group in 1989.
"It causes me rage, rage and repugnance," Bakoyianni said. "I must say that it is inconceivable for the birthplace of civilization to present such an image ... With the desecration of innocent victims and monuments of this city."
A public prosecutor ordered police to examine video tapes of the demonstration in an effort to identify the people who spray-painted the university. He asked for their arrest on charges of "celebrating criminal activity."
Now I am disgusted by these people but in a democracy averyone has the right to let his voice be heard.
I wonder if this would be allowed in other allegded "democratic" countries like the UK and the US.
We are really the best.
More than a thousand people joined the central Athens rally, held to protest the police's alleged abuse of power since it cracked down on the once-elusive terrorist group and arrested 17 suspected members.
The far-left organization killed 23 people — including officials from Britain, Turkey and the United States — between 1975 and 2000.
Members of anarchist groups and supporters took part in the march which ended without incident. The city's main streets were closed to traffic for more than an hour, while more than 400 police officers in riot gear stood by.
Youths wearing black hoods and crash helmets sprayed slogans on the walls of Athens University and other downtown buildings. One said: "Respect for November 17," while another read: "Freedom for the fighters who never give up."
Police said the French companion of Alexandros Giotopoulos, the alleged November 17 leader, who is in prison custody, joined Tuesday's rally.
The arrests of November 17 suspects were triggered by a bungled bomb attack on June 29.
Anarchists groups have voiced protest against police Greece's news media since the crackdown started and have on several occasions attacked journalists and TV camera crews.
Government, political parties condemn pro-terrorist demonstration
Wed Oct 2,12:19 PM ET
ATHENS, Greece - The Socialist government and political parties on Wednesday condemned a demonstration by about 1,500 people who marched through Athens in support of Greece's deadliest terrorist group and chanted insults about some of its victims.
"We disagree ideologically and politically and ... felt some particularly bad feelings from some of the slogans that were heard," said government spokesman Christos Protopappas.
But he conceded the marchers had the right to voice their support for the November 17 group, which is blamed for killing 23 people — including 4 American officials — since 1975. The group's latest victim was British defense attache Stephen Saunders, gunned down in June 2000.
Although there have been some small gatherings in support of November 17, it was the first such rally to be held in Greece. Many demonstrators in Tuesday's march chanted slogans in favor of November 17 suspects in jail pending trial.
The group carried a mix of Marxists and ultra-nationalist outlooks. It is named for the day in 1973 when military rulers crushed a student-led protest.
Demonstrators also spray-painted pro-November 17 messages on the walls of Athens University and chanted slogans ridiculing November 17 victims.
"What is right is that Saunders is alone and needs another two," some of the demonstrators chanted.
Conservative deputy Dora Bakoyianni, a leading candidate for mayor of Athens in Oct. 13 elections, condemned the march. She is the widow of Pavlos Bakoyiannis, a popular conservative deputy, was killed by the group in 1989.
"It causes me rage, rage and repugnance," Bakoyianni said. "I must say that it is inconceivable for the birthplace of civilization to present such an image ... With the desecration of innocent victims and monuments of this city."
A public prosecutor ordered police to examine video tapes of the demonstration in an effort to identify the people who spray-painted the university. He asked for their arrest on charges of "celebrating criminal activity."
Now I am disgusted by these people but in a democracy averyone has the right to let his voice be heard.
I wonder if this would be allowed in other allegded "democratic" countries like the UK and the US.
We are really the best.
(like he can tell the difference)
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