Protesters force Thessaloniki parade to be cancelled

The annual military parade in Thessaloniki to mark Greece’s entry into the Second World War in 1940 has been cancelled after hundreds of anti-austerity protesters blocked the route. Police failed to disperse the large crowd so the parade, which was to be overseen by President Karolos Papoulias, could not take place. Papoulias left the dignitaries’ platform shortly before 11.30 a.m. The president blasted the protesters, who included soccer fans, nationalists, former municipal employees and others protesting against the government's austerity measures. “I am very sad that they are blackening the name of this city. It is a historic day that belongs to Greeks, not them,» said Papoulias, who objected to chants of «traitors» being directed at him and other dignitaries. "I came to honor this city, it is shameful that these demeaning chants are being heard. It’s shameful that they are calling me a traitor when I have been fighting for my country since I was 15.” Papoulias's departure signalled the first ever cancellation of the October 28 parade, held to mark the day Greece said 'Ohi', or 'No', to Italian dictator Bennito Mussolini's request for Greek armed forces to stand aside. “It is clear that these are organized groups,» said Thessaloniki Mayor Yiannis Boutaris. «I don’t know if they have been encouraged by political parties. I’m not sure which politician would think there is anything to gain from this." Boutaris defended authorities against accusations that they had been poorly prepared for the protests. "We are not a police state. The largest share of responsibility must lie with the protesters. "I am ashamed of what has happened. I will apologise to the president,» said the mayor. In Athens, where students were parading before dignitaries, some pupils turned away from the politicians and representatives of the church and military when they passed in front of their platform. The government was represented at the parade by Education Minister Anna Diamantopoulou. The city's municipal band draped black ribbons from their instruments, apparently prompting Mayor Giorgos Kaminis to threaten them with disciplinary action. Police clashed with members of the neo-fascist Chrysi Avgi group outside the Grand Bretagne hotel at Syntagma Square. There were reports that some extremists attacked migrants in central Athens. The parade in Iraklio, Crete, was also cancelled when protestors attacked dignitaries. Government spokesman Ilias Mosialos said the «vast majority» of parades passed off peacefully.