Hundreds of Neo-Nazis March Through Athens
Hundreds of Greek neo-Nazis marched with torches through the streets of Athens to commemorate the 560th anniversary of the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
The militants from the ultranationalist Golden Dawn party shouted “Blood, honour, Golden Dawn” and “Greece belongs to the Greeks”.
After several fiery speeches against the Turks and communists in the square outside Athens cathedral, they marched on parliament, where the party has held 18 seats since June.
The annual march concluded without incident, unlike last year when a Pakistani man who found himself in their path was attacked by 15-20 neo-Nazis.
Advertisement
Nevertheless, this year’s march caused concern among tourists in the Greek capital.
“When they arrived, all the tourists paid their bills and left,” said Fotis, a waiter at the Meatropoleos restaurant in central Athens.
As he watched the neo-Nazi demonstration unfold, Antonio Leiva, a tourist from Chile, said: “I’m shocked.
“I strongly believe in freedom of expression but there are limits when it comes to encouraging racial hatred,” he said.