| ::. December: Violent riots in Athens (14-12-2008 15:27) |
On the night of Saturday, December 6th, two Special Guards of the Greek police clashed with a small group of young men in Exarchia district, a regular scene of clashes between police and leftist groups. One of the Guards fired three shots, and one of those bullets caused the death of 15-year-old Alexander Grigoropoulos. The two Guards are now in jail awaiting trial, the shooter charged with homicide. This incident, one of many that have happened during the last years in Greece, sparked an immediate and widespread response in the form of angry demonstrations and riots in many Greek cities that have continued at varying levels to this day. Alexander's death appears to have been a catalyst, unleashing widespread Greek anger towards many issues - police mistreatment of protesters, unwelcome education reforms, economic stagnation, government corruption and more.
The extensive violence of the riots and the massive participation in the protesting demonstrations betrays a deep rooted anger in all strata of the Greek society. Almost everybody in Greece demands a change. Hinc and nunc. But change in these globally stern times is difficult to consider about, difficult to dream of, difficult to realize. So, more events of the kind are ahead of us… |
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