Greece: Mental health activists and firefighters plan protests in Athens Oct. 31-Nov. 1

Unionized firefighters and mental health advocates and activists plan to stage two different protests in Athens on Oct. 31-Nov. 1. Protesting firefighters will demand improved recruitment numbers for the year 2025 and will gather at Kifisias Avenue; mental health activists aim to denounce a recent law dismantling mental health infrastructure in Greece and will gather in Propylaea. Several thousand participants are likely to attend both events. The demonstration will unfold according to the following schedule:

• Kifisias Avenue: Unionized firefighters will protest through Oct. 31 and Nov. 1; the gathering time remains unclear. However, participants are likely to start protesting in the morning hours of Oct. 31.

• Propylaea: Mental health advocates and activists will gather from 17:30 Oct. 31; the demonstration will likely conclude in the evening hours of the same day.

Authorities will likely deploy increased security to monitor the gatherings. Localized road travel and transport disruptions are likely near the protest sites. Violence is unlikely, but limited confrontations between protesters and law enforcement officers cannot be discounted.