Greece: Increased security and traffic disruptions during memorial marches scheduled in central Thessaloniki Dec. 5-7

Event

Authorities in Thessaloniki will deploy increased security, as well as impose numerous road closures and parking restrictions in the city Dec. 5-7 as part of preparations for a series of memorial marches and other gatherings. The purpose of the events is to commemorate Alexandros Grigoropoulos, a 15-year old student whose 2008 death at the hands of special police in Athens sparked a nationwide wave of violent unrest.

Road closures will begin entering into force at 11:00 Dec. 6 and remain in effect until the early hours of Dec. 7. Affected thoroughfares include portions of Egnatia Street, Tsimiski Street, YMCA Square (Plateia XANTh), Democracy Square, National Defense Street (Ethnikis Aminis), and September 3rd Street, among others. Police could implement additional closures or detours with little-to-no notice, depending on traffic conditions. Parking restrictions will be in place along portions of Egnatia, National Defense, and Lambraki streets between 15:00 Dec. 5 and 06:00 Dec. 7.

Organizers have as yet announced no details concerning the routes, locations, or times of specific marches or other gatherings that will take place.

Advice

Allow extra time to reach destinations in central Thessaloniki from late Dec. 5 through early Dec. 7. Heed the instructions of local authorities.