More than 20,000 Greek students march in Athens to protest government’s plan to permit private universities

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - More than 20,000 Greek students marched Thursday in Athens to protest the conservative New Democracy (ND) government’s plan to permit the opening of private universities.

Students from different cities who came to Athens carried banners and chanted a rejection of private universities and their support of free public education for all.

The rally saw the participation of left parties, including KKE and MeRa25 and other minor extra-parliamentary parties, trade and artisan unions as well as academic staff from different universities.

While the rally was mostly peaceful, clashes between a group of anarchists and police erupted after it ended.

Police responded with tear gas and flashbang grenades against the group which threw Molotov cocktails and set trash containers on fire.

Meanwhile, more than 200 university faculty buildings across the country remain under occupation by protesting students, which led some universities to conduct classes and exams online.

Parliament is expected to vote on the government’s education reform bill later this month.​​​​​​​