Stones thrown and sparse use of chemicals in Syntagma square

Rallies against the new austerity measures are underway outside Parliament on the initiative of leftist organizations, clubs, motorcyclists and the network of SYRIZA trade unionists.

At 17.30, about 2,000 people had gathered on the spot, under the gaze of a  strong police presence. Information from eyewitnesses spoke of at least 60 preventive arrests by the police, especially in Exarchia and Monastiraki.

One of these arrests took place in Syntagma square, where clashes began with demonstrators who threw stones at riot police. The police forces made sparse use  of chemicals to disperse them.

The Metro station in Syntagma has been closed since 15.30. Shortly before 16.00 the Monastiraki stations and Panepistimio and Evangelismos were shut down as well. Amalias boulevard is also blocked off

Earlier on Sunday, about 3,000 people responded to the call by GSEE and ADEDY in Syntagma Square.

"We are continuing the protests now and in the future, until these policies are reversed," stated press secretary and member of the Executive Committee of GSEE, Stathis Anestis.

"In today's rally invitations were ‘sent’ not only to employees, but all citizens," noted the president of ADEDY, Dimitris Tsikrikas, stressing that the measures imposed "diminish Democracy, and warding them off is our duty”.

"Greece," he added, "is merely the pilot of policies to be pursued in all European countries and can be overturned only by means of a coordinated response by all European peoples."

At noon, a delegation from Northern Epirus laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the occasion of the anniversary of the proclamation of the Independent State of Northern Epirus in 1914. A small group of protesters tried to break past the police cordon and reach the monument, but was repelled..