Greece: Unions call for protests in Athens and Thessaloniki, July 20

Event

Labor unions have called for protests in Athens and Thessaloniki on the evening of July 20 to demand reform of public health policy in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Athens, participants will gather at 19:00 outside the Ministry of Health on Aristotelous, and in Thessaloniki, they will gather at 20:00 at the Venizelos statue.

The gatherings are likely to be well attended, and authorities will deploy additional police to the protest areas. Increased security measures, including movement restrictions, will likely prompt localized transport disruptions until the protests have concluded. Although the events are likely to pass off without incident, clashes are possible between police and protesters, particularly if the latter becomes disruptive or attempt to breach security cordons.

Advice

Exercise caution near the protest sites and avoid them to mitigate associated disruptions and as a routine precaution security. Leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation. Allow additional time for travel in affected areas.