Mass demonstrations in Greece: Violence breaks out after commemoration!

Mass demonstrations in Greece: Violence breaks out after commemoration!

In Greece, on February 28, 2025, there were significant riots during large demonstrations, which reminded of the tragic train accident of Tempi two years ago. The protests were held in several cities, especially in Athens and Thessaloniki, and attracted more than 170,000 people in the capital alone. This mobilization primarily aimed at the circumstances of the accident, in which 57 people, mostly young people, lost their lives.

background of the protests

The memory of the train accident and the associated grief seem to mobilize people, since society is once again faced with structural problems. Such large protests are not new in Greece; Already in the past, such as 2011, there were massive protests due to poverty and drastic state cuts. At that time, several ten thousand people gathered in Athens and fought street battles with the police. The use of Molotov cocktails and stones against the security forces was the order of the day while the police answered with tear gas and glare grenades.

The roots of the riots are deeply anchored in society and reflect on continuing dissatisfaction with the government and the economic conditions. The current protests can be seen as a continuation of this tradition of resistance and demand for justice, which is repeatedly expressed in violent riots.

The events of February 28, 2025 clarify the vulnerable situation in which many people in Greece are located, and the urgent need to bring about deeper social and political changes. The dialogue between the government and the population is essential to prevent similar tragedies and the associated protests in the future.