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Greek Protesters Hang Banners on Acropolis

Students call on Europe to join demonstrations tomorrow

By the Associated Press

Posted Dec 17, 2008 11:29 AM CST
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(AP) – Greek protesters hung two giant banners off the Acropolis today, with slogans calling for mass demonstrations across Europe tomorrow and "resistance," after days of violent protests sparked by the fatal police shooting of a teenager in Athens. A dozen protesters held the pink banners over the walls of the famous citadel, written in large black letters in four European languages.

The banners were taken down after two hours. "There can be no justification for this action. This hurts the image of our country abroad," a government spokesman says. Student demonstrations are already planned in Greece tomorrow. The riots that followed the teenager's death are the worst Greece has seen in decades, feeding off widespread dissatisfaction with the unpopular conservative government.

A student reacts during a peaceful protest outside a police station in the Koukaki area of Athens today.
A student reacts during a peaceful protest outside a police station in the Koukaki area of Athens today.   (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Backdropped by the ancient Parthenon, protesters can be seen after they placed giant banners off the Acropolis hill.
Backdropped by the ancient Parthenon, protesters can be seen after they placed giant banners off the Acropolis hill.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
Backdropped by Greek Presidential Guards, youths dance traditional Greek dances in front of the Greek parliament during a peaceful protest in central Athens earlier this week.
Backdropped by Greek Presidential Guards, youths dance traditional Greek dances in front of the Greek parliament during a peaceful protest in central Athens earlier this week.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
A young woman holds a heart-shaped balloon in front of police officers in riot gear guarding the Greek parliament during a peaceful protest in central Athens earlier this week.
A young woman holds a heart-shaped balloon in front of police officers in riot gear guarding the Greek parliament during a peaceful protest in central Athens earlier this week.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
Police on motorcycles pass a mock crime scene a painted outline of a dead body in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki yesterday.
Police on motorcycles pass a mock crime scene a painted outline of a dead body in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki yesterday.   (AP Photo/Nikolas Giakoumidis)
Backdropped by the ancient Parthenon, protesters can be seen after they placed giant banners off the Acropolis hill, in Athens today.
Backdropped by the ancient Parthenon, protesters can be seen after they placed giant banners off the Acropolis hill, in Athens today.   (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)
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Europe • police • protests • Greece • riots • student activism • Acropolis

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