Quieter day for education protests
Protests yesterday by students and teachers against university reforms passed more peacefully than last week as both groups are poised to decide whether to continue with their action against the government legislation. In contrast to last Thursday, when Athens witnessed some of the worst violence seen at public protests, yesterday’s rally did not result in any clashes between some 5,000 demonstrators and riot police. Sources said that better stewarding of the march and greater police organization helped to prevent another outbreak of violence. Officers said that five youths were detained before the rally as a preventative measure but no arrests were made during or after the protest. However, in Thessaloniki, youths threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at riot police who responded by firing tear gas. The two groups clashed for about an hour in the city center. No injuries or arrests were reported. The Panhellenic Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (POSDEP) is due to meet today to decide whether its members should continue their three-month protest against the reforms. Sources said it is likely that the teachers will vote to end their action and try to make up for lost teaching time so students do not miss the exam period. Students were meeting late last night to decide their next move but appeared reluctant to stop their protests.
