Despite the strict security measures and police ban of rallies in the city center over Tuesday and Wednesday, unions, parties and social bodies have arranged a series of demonstrations at Propylaea, Klafthmonos and Omonia Square.

The police decided to call the ban since high-ranking EU officers and politicians will attend the European meetings in Athens, fearing that the protest could provide the necessary cover to carry out violent acts.

This however did not stop GSEE, ADEDY, OLME, SYRIZA and the Centre of Athens Labor Unions (EKA) calling a 6pm rally at Klafthmonos Square, while ANTARSYA, NAR, EEK and OKDE will gather at Propylaea at the same time. Additionally PAME, PASY, PASEVE, MAS, OGE and other have arranged rallies in Omonia Square and other central areas in the city center.

Aside from announcing that demonstrations, rallies and protests are not allowed in the city center from 6am to 11pm on Tuesday and 6am to 3pm on Wednesday, the police have ordered the closure of the Syntagma and Acropolis Metro stations.

The leading party of the Opposition, SYRIZA, issued a statement in response to the strict and security measures, arguing that they are “indicative of the government’s extreme authoritarianism and panic” and calling people to “resist the government plans and express en masse and peacefully their opposition to the austerity plans”.