We've been to Greece and just love it to death, but what we don't know about contemporary Greek society could fill a warehouse. Who knew that the capital of Athens and the northern port city of Thessaloniki were hotbeds of disaffected youth gangs and violent left-wing extremism? The cities have been in the headlines this weekend as riots erupted in response to the shooting death of a youth by a police officer on Saturday near the National Museum in Athens. According to the police, two officers were attacked by thirty stone-throwing youths in the central district of Exarchia, "an unruly haven for far-left youths, including anarchists." Anarchists! The officers responded with superior firepower, fatally wounding one of the youths and touching off riots that have extended into a second day. According to the International Herald Tribune, hundreds of black-clad youths smashed up banks and storefronts, set fires, and harassed cops, who responded with tear gas. It's scary stuff, and we'd advise visitors to keep a low profile until things cool down. As is often the case, the violent demonstrators represent only a small minority of an otherwise peaceful and bohemian segment of society. Unfortunately, it only takes a couple of violent people to set off a maelstrom. As for the police shooting, it's being investigated and the officers involved have been suspended. Be careful out there.
[Photo: International Herald Tribune Europe]
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· Police Shooting Sparks Riots in Greece [International Herald Tribune]
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