Minority groups react to Amerikis Square attacks
A collection of minority groups in Greece on Wednesday issued a statement condemning attacks on Tanzanians in central Athens.
Members of the Tanzanian community were harangued by some locals and suspected members of far-right Chrysi Avgi (Golden Dawn) on Monday and Tuesday night. A group of about 40 people harassed Tanzanians who had congregated at their community center in Amerikis Square early on Wednesday.
The assailants inflicted widespread damage at the center and also attacked two stores belonging to foreigners.
?As active citizens of this country, we feel that these repugnant acts are not representative of the majority of Greeks and that society should be united in its condemnation to prevent the country slipping into lawlessness and barbarity.?
Some witnesses alleged that police forces present at the scene of the attack made no attempt to stop the violence, while local residents who reacted to the incident were verbally abused by the attackers.
There was unrest around Amerikis Square again on Wednesday afternoon.