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Thousands demonstrate in Greece to mark Int'l Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Xinhua, March 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

Greece stood up to say no to racism on Saturday with thousands of citizens taking part in demonstrations and parallel events across the country to mark the International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

From the capital Athens and Thessaloniki in northern Greece, to Patras in the western part of the country and Chania in the southern Aegean Sea, people marched in main streets requesting the closure of migrants' detention centers, Greek citizenship to second generation migrants who were born and raised in Greece.

In a different walk against discrimination, representatives from groups who suffer from racism like migrants, the Roma community, religious groups, homosexuals and other minorities, along with European anti-racism networks and prominent Greek civil society leaders, gathered in front of the Greek Parliament in Athens and marched towards the Prime Minister's office to send their message.

"For the first time groups affected by racism are united. The new Leftist government has shown sensitivity for human rights. We hope things will change for the better," Ahmed Moavia, President of the Greek Migrants Forum, who organized the event, highlighted.

In Greece, there have been reports for increased violent attacks against immigrants lately by groups of ultra-Right racists, according to Dimitris Christopoulos, Vice president of the International Federation for Human Rights and associate professor of Political Science at Panteion University of Athens. Endit