What is going on with the covid vaccine protests in Athens?

[dimi_pat]

I've heard protests in Athens can get pretty dicey....what's going on with these covid vaccine protests? Is it safe? I would love to hear from someone who is there right now

 

[Worldwide Greeks Editor]

Here is the latest about the covid vaccine protests in Athens:

Greek police clash with protesters in rally against mandatory vaccinations

Greek police used teargas and water cannon to disperse people who had gathered in central Athens on Saturday to protest against mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.

www.reuters.com

Greek protesters clash with cops over COVID-19 vaccines

As Greece faces nearly 475,000 reported COVID-19 cases, protests over the country’s vaccine mandate turned violent resulting in the police deploying water cannons and tear gas.

nypost.com

 

[Deborah]

I’m only an outsider, but generally protests in Greece are a lot more orderly than one might expect. Admittedly these anti-vax protests have gotten out of hand, but if you chance upon any protest, there’ll be plenty of warning because of police presence and you can usually detour around it.

 

[redsoxdw_]

I’m only an outsider, but generally protests in Greece are a lot more orderly than one might expect. Admittedly these anti-vax protests have gotten out of hand, but if you chance upon any protest, there’ll be plenty of warning because of police presence and you can usually detour around it.

This is true. Because protests happen so often, people in the city are prepared and there are always police blocking off the general area so you won't just stumble upon a protest and get caught in the middle if you don't want to

 

[Patisqua]

I live in Sydney. Stupidest thing anyone can do during a pandemic is protest. I have a school friend who lives in Athens - Athens had 188 days of very strict lockdown. Why would you not want to get vaccinated? Is it just a case of "Greeks being Greeks" ? Because vaccinations are compulsory (in other words Greeks being told what to do). Why not have a protest and spread Delta to everyone you love. Patisqua

 

[cf_fraiser]

I live in Sydney. Stupidest thing anyone can do during a pandemic is protest. I have a school friend who lives in Athens - Athens had 188 days of very strict lockdown. Why would you not want to get vaccinated? Is it just a case of "Greeks being Greeks" ? Because vaccinations are compulsory (in other words Greeks being told what to do). Why not have a protest and spread Delta to everyone you love. Patisqua

Im not quite sure what people are actually afraid of. I know that there are many protests going on in the US which is also because people don't like being told what to do. So much of the Greek economy depends on tourism that everything is open now, so best to get vaccinated so that people don't get super sick

 

[k_tsoukalas]

I was in Athens once during protests. They tend to be concentrated to certain areas, so I just figure out those areas and avoid them. They never spill out all over the city.