Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Thousands Protest in Athens Against US-led Syria Airstrikes

by Associated Press

   ATHENS, GREECE --

   Thousands of Greeks turned up at a rally and march in central Athens
   organized by the Communist Party to protest the U.S.-led airstrikes
   against Syria.

   The protesters gathered Saturday at Athens' central Syntagma Square
   before marching to the U.S. Embassy, chanting anti-U.S. slogans and
   carrying banners. Some wrote on the pavement in red paint: "Americans,
   murderers of people.''

   Police vehicles barricaded access to the embassy and protesters left
   peacefully.

   Dimitris Koutsoumbas, the Communist Party's leader, blasted Greek
   politicians for believing "flimsy excuses about a use of chemical
   weapons'' by Syria. He also criticized their "subservience'' to the EU
   and NATO, as well as their support for Israel.

   He told the crowd "the imperialists once again spill the blood of the
   local people. They destroy and splinter states by using fabricated
   evidence.''