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Greece vigils amid new violence | Greece vigils amid new violence |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Hundreds of mainly young Greeks have held peaceful protests in memory of a teenager killed by police a week ago. | Hundreds of mainly young Greeks have held peaceful protests in memory of a teenager killed by police a week ago. |
Candlelit vigils were held in Athens at nightfall at parliament and at the site of the shooting. Protesters also gathered in Thessaloniki. | |
The vigils came at the end of a day that saw reports of sporadic violence, including attacks on a police station. | The vigils came at the end of a day that saw reports of sporadic violence, including attacks on a police station. |
Greece has been wracked by violent protests since 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos was shot dead. | |
One policeman has been charged with the murder of Grigoropoulos and a second has been charged with being an accomplice. | |
The killing sparked off rioting that spread quickly, and has led to calls for the government to stand down. | The killing sparked off rioting that spread quickly, and has led to calls for the government to stand down. |
Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has vowed not to be swayed by protests, insisting the country needs an experienced government at a time of economic crisis. | Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has vowed not to be swayed by protests, insisting the country needs an experienced government at a time of economic crisis. |
Shopping | Shopping |
Among Saturday's protests were a peaceful sit-down vigil by students of the school where Grigoropoulos was a student. | Among Saturday's protests were a peaceful sit-down vigil by students of the school where Grigoropoulos was a student. |
They held a silent protest in Syntagma Square, home to the country's parliament. | They held a silent protest in Syntagma Square, home to the country's parliament. |
Hours later hundreds of others brought candles to the square, while others gathered at the site of the teenager's death. | Hours later hundreds of others brought candles to the square, while others gathered at the site of the teenager's death. |
In Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, some 300 youths gathered by the White Tower, a key monument. | In Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, some 300 youths gathered by the White Tower, a key monument. |
But there were reports of new violence. | But there were reports of new violence. |
Police said that at least two banks were targeted in Athens before youths attacked a police station. | Police said that at least two banks were targeted in Athens before youths attacked a police station. |
They then smashed paving stones and set up street barricades with burning trash bins, reports said. | They then smashed paving stones and set up street barricades with burning trash bins, reports said. |
Anger at the killing of the teenager has developed into a widespread sense of anger at Greece's government over the past week. | Anger at the killing of the teenager has developed into a widespread sense of anger at Greece's government over the past week. |
Thousands of Greeks have taken to the streets across the country, repeatedly clashing with police and vowing to overthrow the government. | Thousands of Greeks have taken to the streets across the country, repeatedly clashing with police and vowing to overthrow the government. |
Many have identified themselves as anarchists happy to use violence in what they say are legitimate protests against the government. | Many have identified themselves as anarchists happy to use violence in what they say are legitimate protests against the government. |
Some, though, have welcomed the return of a semblance of calm. In Athens, Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis greeted Christmas shoppers with the city's brass band. | Some, though, have welcomed the return of a semblance of calm. In Athens, Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis greeted Christmas shoppers with the city's brass band. |
"People came up to me and were telling me that it was the first time they had smiled in days," the mayor told the Associated Press. | "People came up to me and were telling me that it was the first time they had smiled in days," the mayor told the Associated Press. |