Greece: Thousands mark 1973 uprising anniversary

Some 20,000 demonstrators marched through the Greek capital Saturday, the AP reported. They marked the anniversary of a student uprising 34 years ago against the country's military rulers. Greece: Thousands mark 1973 uprising anniversary The march began at the Athens Polytechnic, where students staged a pro-democracy uprising in 1973 that was crushed by the military dictatorship then ruling Greece. The march ended at the embassy of the United States, which offered some support to Greece's 1967-74 junta. A small group of protesters briefly scuffled with police but no injuries or arrests were reported. A large protest was also held in Greece's second largest city, Thessaloniki, where minor scuffles also broke out. Police had said up to 8,000 officers would be deployed to provide security at the annual march, which in the past has been marred by violence. But authorities appeared to scale back the deployment because of heavy rain Saturday. Demonstrators chanted, "The Polytechnic Lives," as they filed through the city center, where streets were closed to traffic for most of the day. A group of Pakistani immigrants joined the demonstration and chanted slogans against their country's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who ignited protests by declaring emergency rule on Nov. 3.

Greece: Thousands mark 1973 uprising anniversary

The march began at the Athens Polytechnic, where students staged a pro-democracy uprising in 1973 that was crushed by the military dictatorship then ruling Greece.

The march ended at the embassy of the United States, which offered some support to Greece's 1967-74 junta.

A small group of protesters briefly scuffled with police but no injuries or arrests were reported.

A large protest was also held in Greece's second largest city, Thessaloniki, where minor scuffles also broke out.

Police had said up to 8,000 officers would be deployed to provide security at the annual march, which in the past has been marred by violence. But authorities appeared to scale back the deployment because of heavy rain Saturday.

Demonstrators chanted, "The Polytechnic Lives," as they filed through the city center, where streets were closed to traffic for most of the day.

A group of Pakistani immigrants joined the demonstration and chanted slogans against their country's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who ignited protests by declaring emergency rule on Nov. 3.