Athens turned into a battleground Friday as clashes erupted between protesters and riot police during a march marking 16 years since the fatal police shooting of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos. ✊ Thousands gathered in the city’s Exarchia district—where the unarmed teen was killed in 2008—before tensions boiled over.
Hooded protesters hurled petrol bombs and stones at police, who responded with tear gas. 🔥 Authorities deployed thousands of officers, detaining over 60 people. 'This violence reflects unresolved anger,' a local student told crowds, referencing the 2008 riots that shook Greece for weeks after Grigoropoulos' death.
Friday’s march mirrored past unrest: streets littered with burning trash bins, smashed windows, and chants demanding justice. While the 2008 riots became a symbol of youth rebellion against authority, today’s clashes highlight ongoing tensions between activists and law enforcement. 🛑
'We remember Alexandros, but we’re also fighting for a future where this doesn’t happen again,' said one protester, their face covered by a mask. As night fell, the echoes of dissent lingered—a reminder of a tragedy that still haunts Greece. 🌃
