Greece: Demonstrations planned in Athens and other cities July 9 /update 1

Event

The All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) has called for demonstrations to take place in Athens on Thursday, July 9, against proposed legislation that would regulate public protests. Protesters plan to gather in Syntagma square from 20:00 (local time). PAME has also called for protesters to gather from 19:00 at the Labor Center in Ioannina (Epirus region) and in the vicinity of the Venizelos statue in Thessaloniki (Central Macedonia region) from 20:00.

Context

Legislators are expected to vote on a bill that regulates demonstrations by July 10. Propositions include the requirement that an organizer be appointed by those intending to stage a protest who will be responsible for liaising with police. The legislation also restricts protests which have low numbers of participation and penalties for protesters acting violently. Organizers could be held responsible for any damage caused by attendees. On July 2, some 3,500 protesters gathered at Syntagma square to call for the legislation's withdrawal.

Advice

Those in Athens and other major cities in Greece are advised to monitor developments, avoid all protests as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities.