5,000 police on Polytechnic duty
More than 5,000 policemen will be deployed gradually at the National Technical University of Athens (formerly Polytechnic) and other possible targets of anarchist violence from today, in the buildup to Wednesday’s anniversary of the student uprising of November 17, 1973, the Public Order Ministry said yesterday. The officers will also be located at Panteion University, Athens University and the Law School. Riot police will line the route of the annual protest to the US Embassy, which traditionally begins from the former Polytechnic on Patission Street and passes through central Athens. Meanwhile police unions, supported by firefighters and coast guard will protest outside police headquarters on Alexandras Avenue on November 17 after the government told them yesterday it could not fully meet increased basic pay pledges.
