Police ban Golden Dawn, anti-fascist marches on Saturday
Greek Police on Friday banned marches planned by the ultra-right Golden Dawn and anti-fascist groups in a bid to avert clashes between rival demonstrators.
Golden Dawn’s rally, which was to begin at 7 p.m. at Syntagma Square in central Athens, was called by party spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris to demand the release from pre-trial custody of GD’s leader Nikos Michaloliakos and another two MPs.
Anti-fascist organizations reacted to Kasidiaris’ announcement on Monday by calling their own demonstrations, to begin at Monastiraki Square and outside Athens University.
In an announcement on Friday, the Athens police headquarters said that the marches planned to set out from Syntagma Square, Monastiraki Square and Athens University would «not be allowed to develop into rallies for reasons of public safety.»
