Protests Greet Merkel in Athens

At least 40,000 demonstrators took to the streets near Parliament to protest against Angela Merkel during her visit to Greece. One small group burned a flag bearing a Nazi swastika and some protesters dressed in Nazi uniforms. Banners at rallies read “Don’t Cry for Us Mrs. Merkel” and “Merkel You Are Not Welcome Here.” In preparation for Merkel’s trip, authorities banned protests in many parts of Athens and launched the biggest security operation since 1999, when protesters broke out over NATO airstrikes. A police spokeswoman said that 217 people have been detained and 24 have been arrested and 7,000 police officers are on standby in the capital to keep order.