National Day Parades (Mar 25/12) To Take Place as Usual – Despite Fear of Protests

The National Day parades on March 25th 2012 will take place as usual, the Papademos government decided on Monday, despite fears of mass protests. At a meeting of the ministers of Interior, Education, Defense, Justice and Citizens’ Protection under PM Papademos, it has been also decided that all the members of the government will be present.  Operational issues of the police on that critical day have not been discussed at the meeting on Monday morning, however according to sources, there will be a high operational readiness on the side of the Greek police. Speaking to news portal in.gr,the same source underlined the necessity that all political parties, social organizations and the media should condemn violent events “as these phenomena undermine the Republic”.

With growing anger due to harsh austerity measures, Greek politicians became often the target of angry citizens during parades. Last week, three members of the Greek parliament were forced to leave the parade tribune in Rhodes, when protesters hurled yogurts against them.
In Thessaloniki, the big National Day parade of October 28th was cancelled and the President of the Republic left when protesters shouted insults against Karolos Papoulias.
The big military parade on March 25th, the day to commemorate the Greek revolution against the Turkish Occupation, takes place in Athens. In 2011, Greeks booed politicians after the March-25th parade in Athens.