Riot police fired teargas on Tuesday at protesters demonstrating just a few kilometers (miles) from the presidential mansion where Greek leaders were hosting a state banquet for visiting U.S. President Barack Obama.
About 7,000 people, among them many hooded protesters and members of the Communist-affiliated group PAME, marched through the streets of central Athens holding banners reading “Unwanted!” (Read also: Greek police, protesters clash in Athens during Obama visit)
Clashes erupted between police and protesters as around 3,000 left-wing activists took to the streets to demonstrate against the visit of US President Barack Obama to Athens on Tuesday.
The demonstration, which was planned ahead of the President’s visit, saw protesters attempt to break police barriers, running at the cordon with sticks and spraying fire extinguishers, as police officers repelled them using tear gas. No injuries have been reported so far.
Protesters hurled molotov cocktails, rocks and other items from behind makeshift barricades. Police responded with tear gas and stun grenades.
The visit comes only two days before the anniversary of a bloody 1973 student revolt that helped topple the 1967-1974 military junta which was backed by the U.S. government.
