Anti-imperialist demonstrations held across Greece

Demonstrators in Thessaloniki -- All images via the KKE

The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) reports that anti-imperialist demonstrations organized across Greece on May 16 and 17 by the Greek Committee for International Detente and Peace (EEDYE) saw mass participation, sending a loud and clear message: no sacrifices for wars and capitalist profits!

Thousands of demonstrators gathered outside US and NATO bases in many parts of Greece, including Crete, Larissa, Alexandroupoli and Aktio. Thousands also took part in the traditional route of the Marathon Peace March, from the Marathon Tomb to the centre of Athens, outside the Greek Parliament. The march made two stops —outside the Greek Ministry of National Defence and the US Embassy— expressing opposition to the country’s involvement in the imperialist plans and wars of the US–NATO–EU.

Athens, Marathon March

As the EEDYE states in its announcement: “This year’s Two-Day National Anti-Imperialist Action is taking place during a period of particularly dangerous developments for the peoples of the region and the entire world. The intensification of rivalries between the US and China, the military escalation in the Middle East, the US–Israeli attack on Iran, and the multiple open war fronts bring to the fore the danger of a widespread conflagration.

At the same time, the Greek government, in full alignment with the strategy of the US, NATO, and the EU, is deepening the country’s involvement in these dangerous war plans. The ceding of bases, ports, and airports, the development of US–NATO infrastructure, and the deployment of Greek military forces abroad are turning the country into an active cog in the war machine.

From Souda to Alexandroupoli, and from Larissa to other critical military installations, Greece is increasingly being used as a hub for US and NATO military operations. This policy not only fails to guarantee peace and security for the people, but also exposes them to grave dangers, turning the country into a potential target for retaliation.

These developments make it even more urgent to decisively strengthen the people’s struggle against Greece’s involvement in imperialist plans and wars.”

Athens, Marathon March

Statement by the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the KKE:

Dimitris Koutsoumbas, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the KKE, attended the welcoming event for the 43rd Peace Marathon in Athens and stated:

“Today, thousands of people of all ages across Greece took to the streets in marches for peace, on the streets of struggle, demanding an end to Greece’s involvement in this barbaric imperialist war in the region; the withdrawal of all military missions stationed abroad; and the closure of the US and NATO bases of death. The Greek people must no longer be forced to pay, out of their meagre means, for exorbitant military expenditure serving these wars and for the economic consequences they bring. We shout with all our might: Freedom for Palestine! Hands off Cuba!”

Souda NATO Base, Chania Crete

More photos: No sacrifices for wars and capitalist profits!