Greece marks democracy uprising anniversary under stringent security measures

Thousands of Greeks on Tuesday marked the 42nd anniversary of the student uprising against the seven-year military dictatorship that led to the restoration of democracy in the country.

Greeks in Athens and other cities celebrated with traditional demonstrations. Political leaders and ordinary citizens came to pay tribute to the young people's courage by laying wreaths on a monument in the yard of the polytechnic where the uprising took place.

More than 20,000 people took part in the annual mass demonstration at the American embassy.

Demonstrators stopped outside the French Embassy in Athens to express solidarity with the victims of Friday's terror attacks in Paris.

The main rally ended peacefully outside the U.S. embassy, however, groups of anarchists caused minor violent incidents later near the polytechnic.

"The fight for the defense of democracy and freedom must be constant and undiminished," Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos said in his message for the 1973 uprising anniversary.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras commemorated the uprising anniversary connecting the tragic events with the current challenges of the country's economic instability and the refugee crisis.

Referring to the recent terrorist attacks in France, the Prime Minister said the political defeat of Europe against terrorists would be closing borders, raising fences, and listening to the voices of intolerance.

This year, more than 6,000 police patrolled the streets in Athens, stepping up security measures around embassies, public buildings, and organizations that are potential targets. Endit