Thousands march in Athens for school funding and cheaper housing
Thousands of students and teachers marched in Athens on Wednesday, the AP and Euronews reported. They want more money for public schools and cheaper student housing. A Greek news site, eKathimerini, put the crowd at about 10,000 and said the march was peaceful.
Thousands of students and teachers marched through Athens on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press and Euronews. They called for more state money for schools and cheaper student housing, the AP reported. eKathimerini, a Greek news site, put the crowd at about 10,000.
The marchers walked from the University of Athens toward the Greek Parliament, Euronews reported. Aerial footage showed crowds filling major streets, it said.
The march was peaceful, eKathimerini reported. About 3,000 police officers were on duty, it said. Officials feared riots like those seen in France. Police took 21 people in for questioning, but no arrests were reported right away. Two central Metro stations were briefly closed as a precaution.
Marchers want empty school jobs filled and school buildings kept in better shape, eKathimerini reported. They also want students to be able to switch universities more easily. Students are also angry about high housing costs, it said. On Tuesday night, dozens of tents went up in Syntagma Square near Parliament to draw attention to the issue.
Some banners were written in French, Euronews reported. Protesters linked their march with recent student protests in France, Euronews and eKathimerini reported. "From Greece to France we are struggling for state-provided, free education," one banner read, according to eKathimerini.
The AP said the march came as protests that have swept Europe spread further. Organizers said the march was part of a wider push across Europe, Euronews reported. They want better school funding, cheaper housing and help with rising costs.
Primary school teachers held a 24-hour strike, and hospital doctors held a nationwide strike, eKathimerini reported. Similar protests took place in Thessaloniki and other towns, with no violence reported, it said.
There have also been protests over living costs in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Albania, eKathimerini said.
What we know: Thousands marched peacefully in Athens for school funding and cheaper housing.
What we don't: Whether Greece's government will respond to the marchers' demands.
Where outlets agree The Associated Press and Euronews report that thousands of students and teachers marched in Athens on Wednesday for better-funded education and affordable housing.
Where they differ The Associated Press and Euronews describe the crowd as thousands, while eKathimerini puts it at about 10,000.