Μαθητές βγαίνουν από την παρέλαση Ξάνθη 28η-October 28th is Greece’s national “beat up your local politician” day

Στη Βόρεια Ελλάδα, στην πόλη της Ξάνθης, οι μαθητές εγκατέλειψαν την παρέλαση, επιλέγοντας να διαδηλώσουν στους δρόμους της πόλης.

In what was supposed to be a day of nationalist propaganda, with military parades across the Greek territory (a remnant of military dictatorships past) to celebrate the “national day”, things have taken quite a different turn. In Thessaloniki, the Greek president of democracy was  forced to leave the military parade under the constant booing of hundreds – the parade was subsequently cancelled. In Patras and Heraclion, local politicians came under a shower of eggs, and more booing.

In the Northern city of Xanthi, the local students abandoned the parade, choosing to demonstrate in the streets of the city instead:

…and in the small central Greek city of Trikala, a local PASOK Member of Parliament was beaten by an enraged demonstrator, while booed by hundreds:

There are reports of further turmoil in Agrinio, Pyrgos, Mytilini and plenty of other Greek cities. Today’s events are entirely unprecedented, as it is the first time military parades are cancelled under the pressure of popular rage.