On Sunday, 17 November 2024, demonstrations will take place in Greek cities. This is due to the 51st Anniversary of the Polytechnic Uprising in 1973.
Greece protests on 17 November 2024
On this coming Sunday, 17 November 2024, demonstrations in memory of the Polytechnic Uprising in 1973 will take place in major cities in Greece.
This includes Athens, Thessaloniki and other major Greek cities. The demonstrations will take place at central areas or near university campuses.
These protests begin peacefully in the early afternoon, but they escalate to violent clashes between demonstrators and police later in the day.
Unless you want to participate in the demonstrations, you might want to avoid certain areas in Athens, Thessaloniki and other major cities, and stay updated on road closures.
November 17 demonstrations in Athens
The big demonstration in Athens begins at the Polytechnic University in Exarchia. Thousands of people gather to pay their respects at the site of the 1973 Polytechnic Uprising.
The participants then march all the way to the U.S. Embassy, on Vas. Sofias street, close to Megaro Moussikis metro station.
Later in the evening, the protests usually turn violent in certain areas, with clashes between demonstrators and the police. Tear gas and molotov cocktails are not uncommon.
The affected areas mostly include Exarchia, Patission street, and the broader vicinity of Panepistimio metro, where restaurants and cafes usually remain closed.
As a rule, these areas are safe until the afternoon. However, if you don’t want to get caught up in the protests, avoid them in the evening.
In addition, if you happen to live in those areas, it’s also wise to keep your windows shut to avoid teargas smoke and fumes. Or even spend the night in another area if you don’t feel comfortable.
Note that areas like Plaka, Psiri or the Acropolis are never affected. If you are located there, you won’t even know that there are protests in Athens on 17 November!
Athens transportation disruptions on 17 November
Public transportation in these areas of Athens is disrupted on November 17. Due to road closures, bus routes are diverted or cancelled.
Most importantly, certain metro stations will remain closed from 14:00 onwards. This includes Megaro Moussikis, Evangelismos, Syntagma, Monastiraki, Panepistimio and Omonia metro stations, and will affects all three metro lines.
Note that the metro will not be stopping at those stations, so you can’t change lines. It’s not certain at what time these stations will reopen, and if they will reopen at all for the rest of the day.
Here is some more information about how to use the Athens metro system.
If you have your own car, definitely avoid central Athens – in fact, many roads will be closed to the traffic.
November 17 demonstrations in Thessaloniki
Demonstrations in Thessaloniki revolve around the U. S. Consulate General on Tsimiski Street, the University area, Aristotelous square, and Egnatia Avenue.
The police have been known to use tear gas to disperse crowds. As Thessaloniki has a large student population, demonstrations are particularly active.
Several bus routes running along the main avenues are affected on the day. Again, avoid driving in the center, and be mindful of the protests.
The Athens Polytechnic Uprising in 1973
The Polytechnic Uprising refers to a protest that took place in Athens on 17 November 1973. The protest was directed against the military junta that held power during that period.
The uprising originated from the Athens Polytechnic University, where students united in opposition to the repressive regime.
On November 17, 1973, students barricaded themselves inside the university and made several demands for political reforms. This eventually led to a violent confrontation with the police and military forces.
To this date, the number of casualties remains unknown. Several estimates have been reported over the years, but there is no consensus.
The uprising is a significant event in Greece’s recent history, and remains a symbol of resistance against authoritarian regimes.
Here is a movie on YouTube that you might be interested in watching. Among others, you will see Melina Mercouri, who was actively involved in the anti-dictatorship movement.
Hi! I’m Vanessa from Athens, and I share news and guides about Greece on my blog. Follow me on Facebook for more Greece-related inspiration and travel tips.