Flyers dispersed at US Consulate in Thessaloniki in protest at Obama visit
A group of around 15 people made their way up to the American Consulate in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki on Tuesday morning, dispersing flyers protesting a planned visit to Greece by outgoing US President Barack Obama next week.
The individuals, who proceeded up to the seventh floor of the Tsimiski Street building, shouted anti-US slogans and attempted to hang a banner outside the window, but were thwarted by police called to the scene.
According to reports, the protesters have taken issue with Obama’s planned visit on November 15 and 16, which will coincide with commemorations of the bloody November 17, 1973, student uprising against the military dictatorship.
The protestors are reportedly members of the anti-establishment groups Thessaloniki Libertarian Initiative and the Rouvikonas Anarchist Collective. Six were remanded in custody for questioning.
The protest came the Greek Police has been planning increased security measures for the US president’s visit.
Greek and American security and intelligence authorities reportedly met on Monday to discuss measures for the three-day visit, which will include a tour of a migrant reception facility in Athens.
Sources told Kathimerini that around 300 American agents will be dispatched to Greece for the visit, with several already in the capital working with Greek authorities to assess any possible security risks ahead of Obama’s arrival.
