The 75th Thessaloniki Trade Fair welcomes kids too

The 75th Thessaloniki Trade Fair welcomes kids too, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Gas masks are now available in sizes xxs, xs, s and junior.

Taken outside the Vellidio conference centre in the northern port city of Thessaloniki as Greek PM Giorgos Papandreou was addressing the nation over the state of the economy. Outside the speech was met with boos and jeers by protesting fire fighters and their families.

Greek anti-austerity protests turn violent

Greek anti-austerity protests turn violent, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Greek riot police use teargas on protesters outside Thessaloniki town hall

Several people were injured and at least two taken to hospital during the riot police attempts to breaks up a demonstration outside a town hall in Greece's second city, Thessaloniki.

According to eye witness reports relayed via Twitter two women bystanders needed medical assistance for respiratory problems following the police's use of tear gas and pepper spray.

The demonstration was over government plans to reorganise local authorities, a move opposition parties claim is part of Athens austerity measures and which will lead to massive job losses.

More photographs on Demotix.com

PAOK FC fans protest ban on them going to away matches- Thessaloniki, Greece

PAOK FC fans protest ban on them going to away matches- Thessaloniki, Greece, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Greek trade unions fire opening salvo over austerity measures

Greek trade unions fire opening salvo over austerity measures, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

In what promises to be the opening shots in a war of attrition Greek public and private sector trade unions have taken to the streets in the country's major cities angry with the drastic cuts in pay announced by prime minister, Giorgos Papandreou yesterday. Thessaloniki, Greece 03/03/2010

The cuts in salaries combined with a rises in VAT of between 1 and 2% have angered many Greeks who believe the $420 billion debt has gone to line the pockets of the rich and that it is they who should shoulder the burden of reducing the deficit. Marching under the banner, “The plutocracy should pay” the communist controlled PAMe trade union confederation marched this today in Athens and Thessaloniki. Other actions also included an occupation of the economics ministry and the state run ET3 TV station.

On the internet Greek Twitter users could barely contain their outrage over the new economic measures which aim to fill government coffers and cut down on the bloated government budget. However there was anger over the fact that areas such as defence spending which soaks up 4.3% of GNP, a figure twice that of the UK was untouched wheras the education budget was cut by 600 million euros.

Tomorrow sees the first in a series of widespread strike actions across Greece which threaten to bring the country to a standstill.

Demotix

Greek general strike - Thessaloniki

Greek general strike - Thessaloniki, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

In what promises to be the first round of a new series of confrontations between Greece's trade unions and the government public and private sector employees went on strike today across the country.

The strike action has paralyzed much of the nation's transport network and was accompanied by mass demonstrations in Athens and other major cities. As prime minister Giorgos Papandreou desperately tries to persuade Greece's EU partners that his government can reduce the massive $420 billion public debt burden threatens to destablisise not just Greece but the entire eurozone area.

However, recent government actions to raise revenues and reduce costs have put it on a collision course with trade unions anxious to protect members incomes and jobs. With some of the lowest wages in EU and unemployment rapidly rising labour leaders argue that the cost of country's debt repayments should not be shouldered by the country's poorest.

In Greece's second city between 8,000 and 10,000 marchers took to the streets demanding that the country's rich pay the price for the present crisis. European Union flags were also burnt in protest against the role of Brussels in role in applying austerity measures which threaten to derail the Greek economy and make any possible debt repayment plan even more difficult.

Demotix

Greek trade unions march and strike over government's austerity package

Greek trade unions march and strike over government's austerity package, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Students march in memory of Alexandros Grigoropoulos killed last year by the police in Athens

Students march in memory of Alexandros Grigoropoulos killed last year by the police in Athens, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Today thousands of students and pupils marched in cities across Greece to mark the first anniversary of the killing of Alexandros Grigoropoulos which sparked off the worst civil unrest for a generation.

More pictures at Demotix.com

Out the door

In about half an hour I'm off out to the centre of Thessaloniki to take part in the demonstrations and marches that will mark the anniversary the killing of Greek teenager, Alexandros Grigoropoulos last year. Already more than 400 schools and campuses have been occupied by students across the country and the media are saying that between 6000 and 10,000 police officers will be on hand in Athens alone. Many of my friends there have told me that centre looks more like a city under seige than ever before.

To those of you marching today, take care.