Riots and numerous clashes broke out in central Thessaloniki on Wednesday between protesters and police during protests against an event planned by former Golden Dawn MP Ilias Kasidiaris. Despite the authorities' ban on public gatherings, anti-fascist protesters attempted to march through the city's streets.
The clashes took place on Egnatia Street, near the Venizelos statue, where anti-authoritarian protesters clashed with police forces. As a result, traffic was disrupted in both directions on this street, while traffic on Angelaki Street, in the surrounding area, was also blocked.
The protests were organized by left-wing groups, anti-authoritarian organizations and unions affiliated with the Communist Party of Greece labor movement, which oppose Kasidiaris' participation in a planned event at a city hotel.
Kasidiaris was a member of Golden Dawn, a now-disbanded neo-Nazi organization whose leaders were convicted of running a criminal organization.
For security reasons and to prevent possible riots, police had banned public gatherings in most of central Thessaloniki from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
The measures also affected public transport, as authorities ordered the closure of six metro stations: New Railway Station, Dimokratias, Venizelou, Agia Sofia, Sintrivani and University.
