34th Anniversary of NTU uprising

[Ellinas]

Events Commemorating N.T.U.A

By Nasos Bratsos

Three-day events to mark the 34th anniversary since the National Technical University uprising against the military dictatorship continue for the second day today. Events culminate with the customary march to the American embassy in Athens at 16:00, on Saturday afternoon. Political parties and sectors are to lay wreaths today.

Political Parties Commenting on the Anniversary

Panos Panayotopoulos, ND parliamentary member, stressed that Polytechnic is celebrated by all parties and all Greeks have to pay tribute to the legacy our youth left us in present and future times.

SYRIZA Parliamentary members Mr. Fotis Kouvelis said that the memory has to be preserved alive as Polytechnic was the expression of people’s mass reaction against dictatorship.

KKE member Spyros Halvatzis stressed that young people owe to continue the fight for the fulfillment of the goals set by Polytechnic University and underlined that he is in favor of youth protestation that reacts to the abolition of the University asylum right.

Internal Affairs Minister Mr. Prokopis Pavlopoulos talking on behalf of the government mentioned that constitutions in Democracy are stable but we have to defend the human being and his rights.

Education undersecretary, Spiros Taliadouros laid a wreath at 07:00 this morning on behalf of the ND party. PASOK president, George Papandreou laid a wreath at 11:00 this morning. In his statement he stressed "We honour the fighters of NTU. The spirit of uprising and reversal is always timely. Struggle for democracy and strengthening of democracy is always timely, nowadays for reversal and change of a political system that does not express the needs of the Greek people."

Security Measures

Traffic regulation orders are in effect today in the center of Athens while commuters are better to call 185 OASA for further information.
Traffic will be banned from the center of Athens on Saturday. A total force of 8.100 policemen are on the alert to guard university schools, embassies and other facilities. Implementation of measures started yesterday and will be strengthened tomorrow.

Measures to guard events was decided during a meeting of GADA (Attika Police General Directorate) officers with representatives of the university community. University professors, students and representatives of educational organizations are in charge of guarding university campuses after the closing of the National Technical University gates at the end of celebrations. Police forces outside the campuses will forbid anybody from passing through the gates. A strong police force will also be present during the march to the US embassy.

ANA