Top Greek politician tear gassed while giving speech

Giorgos Papandreou - Γιώργος Ανδρέα Παπανδρέου, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Giorgos Papandreaou, leader of Greece’s opposition in parliament was tear gassed during a speech in the Greek port of Pireaus this morning.Papandreau, head of the PASOK party was addressing protesting farmers from Crete when riot police fired tear gas into the crowds following clashes between a small group of protesters and the police.



More than 2000 farmers arrived from the Greek island yesterday along with hundreds of tractors in order to march on parliament in protest against the present conservative government’s agricultural policies. However, authorities refused to allow the march which led to use of clashes and two arrests. Although the blockade of the country’s main highways by farmers has eased off over the last day Greece’s land crossings with neighbouring Bulgaria are still closed to most traffic.

Framers responded to yesterday's scenes of violence between farmers and police near Athens by blockading roads in Crete's main cities and occupying government buildings. In addition another 100 farmers and tractors arrived in Pireaus this morning to support those already present.

In common with many other European countries, Greece has experienced a wave of rioting and often violent demonstrations over the last two months as people unhappy with the government’s handling of major issues took to the streets.

Athens, Riga, Paris, Reykjavik and other capitals have been the scenes of sometimes unprecedented clashes between disgruntled citizens and police.

To see video of the event from tvxs.gr clickr here.

Athens residents clash with riot police over park

Picture from indymedia Athens

The move to bulldoze one of the last remaining parks in the Kypseli district of central Athens sparked off clashes between local residents and Greek riot police. Yesterday's decision by Athens mayor, Nikitis Kaklamanis to order the cutting down of 45 trees to start work on the construction of a car park led to day long confrontations and the use of flash grenades and tear gas by the authorities (see here for video from the tvxs.gr independent news agency).

The sudden start of construction was, according to Greek media sources designed to forstall any possible injunction by Athens courts over the controversial project. Despite having less green spaces than any other European capital the city of Athens sent in contractors to start clearing the area despite questions over the legality of the work . As a result the forestry commision of the Attiki district, which includes the Greek capital yesterday sued the city of Athens over the destruction of the park.

Athens mayor, Nikitis Kaklamnais, speaking to Skai TV station claimed that only three trees had been cut down and that the other 40 were being transplanted. However, eye witness accounts and pictures taking by local residents seems to cast doubt on the mayor's claims.

Yesterday evening protesters planted 45 sapling to replace the pine trees cut down during the day. Work resumed early this morning however, stopped after two hours amidst protests Unconfirmed reports talk of the presence of members of Greece's ultra-right Chrysi Aygi party taking part in clashes with protesters early this morning. Three residents including local council member, Kostas Lagos have pressed charges after being assaulted.

Local residents have vowed to guard the site and prevent building work from continuing.

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Tags: Greece | Park | World | athens | riot police | patision and kyprou | kypseli | nikitis kakalamanis

Footage taken after I was attacked by Greek riot police

I guess I should be flattered that the police deemed it necessary to employ the services of four fully armed riot cops to subdue one 40 - year old, camera wielding English teacher. This footage of me laying, handcuffed face down on Tsimiski St was taken by Alter TV channel on the 8th September this year.I still wince when I see these images as I was in intense pain as one of the guys tried to yank my backpack off my dislocated shoulder and all I could see was my blood on the pavement.

What it doesn't show is the previous scene in which I was slammed into a lamp post by a riot cop's shield in an unprovoked attack whilst photographing a peaceful protest march (click here to see photos). As a result of that I suffered a suspected fractured nose, dislocated shoulder and multiple cuts and bruises. Even now, six weeks after the incident I do not have full use of my left arm.



I'm now in the process of suing the police for this attack but this is proving difficult as they are stone walling all attempts by my lawyer to get more information on what units were on duty at this particular point. They even went as far as to refuse him entry to the central police station when he went to ask. They really are a law unto themselves. See here for the full story.

Beaten up by the police for taking pictures

today you'll have to forgive the lack of punctuation as i'm writing this with only one hand. the other has been dislocated i think, i'm off to a hospital to get it checked out after this.
apparntly taking photos of the police is illegal here in greece as i found out to my cost when a MAT snatch squad got me during a peaceful demo. after slamming me to the ground an making sure i stayed there with a few well placed punches. i was then handcuffed violently and arrested. my crime, taking pictures. luckily they didn't bother pressing charges.

update

i went to the hospital an i have a dislocated left shoulder, painfully put back into place by three hefty guys, a fractured nose, and muliple bruising. all because some manic idiot couldn't control himself.