Aleka Papariga, leader of KKE (Communist Party of Greece) before going on stage to address Greek communist party rally in Thessaloniki, Greece.

Aleka Papariga, leader of KKE (Communist Party of Greece) moments before going on stage to address Greek communist party rally in Thessaloniki, Greece., a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Greeks react angrily to latest austerity measures

Greeks react angrily to latest austerity measures, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Today the ruling PASOK party announced the latest round of austerity measures meant to put Greece financial house in order. Yet more increases in VAT (this time on basic food items such as bread and milk), a road tax hike, lower tax bands as well as a new privatisation plan.

In other words more of the same kind of policies that have brought about an economic decline unprecedented in post war years and created an army of desperate unemployed who are being left to the mercy of the marketplace. Despite German media reports to the contrary Greece's not a paradise for the jobless with fewer than half those without work entitled to unemployment benefit. While other help is available, at least on paper, bureaucracy and lack of funds means that many who require help do not receive it.

Despite the continued fall in the economy and a spiralling debt load Athens continues to follow the recipe led down by its IMF. EU and ECB creditors which has brought little but disaster and suffering to millions of Greeks on lower incomes.

Tomorrow there has been a call for a Spanish style street protests here in Thessaloniki (6pm Wednesday outside the White Tower) so it shall be interesting to see if people respond. On the one hand there is certainly enough anger and indignation in Greek society but the experience of 18 months of severe economic downturn has sapped people's will to protest.

Greek cyclists take to the streets for fourth annual mass ride

Greek cyclists take to the streets for fourth time, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Taking advantage of the unusually warm weather cyclists across Greece took part in the country's fourth annual cycle ride. The event which took place in 30 venues is designed to promote the adption of bicycles in the country's cities and raise awareness of environmentally friendly alternatives to the use cars and buses for urban tranport.

In the northern port city of Thessaloniki nearly 2000 riders took to the streets with participation by cyclists of all ages. The good weather combined with the relaxed Sunday atmosphere gave the ride a carnival atmosphere.

Despite Greeks love affair with the internal combustion engine the current economic crisis in conjunction with sky high petrol prices (currently approaching 2 euros a litre / $10 dollars a gallon) means that many are digging out bicycles from storage in an effort to cut transport costs.

www.demotix.com/news/684001/greek-cyclists-take-streets-m...

Easter shopping in Greece

Easter shopping in Greece, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

We Won't Pay - Civil disobedience in Thessaloniki, Greece

Over the last year a group of ordinary Greeks have embarked on a series of acts of civil disobedience by refusing to pay bus fares which have gone up 280% in some cases. Every weekend volunteers board buses and encourage fellow passengers not to buy tickets. Worrried by the movement the government has ordered a police crackdown on such acts, leading to the detention and harassment of activists.

Greek consumer groups organise bus ticket boycott

Greek consumer groups organise bus ticket boycott, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Faced with yet more hikes in public transport prices Greek consumer groups go on the offensive with nationwide protest by refusing to buy ride buses, trains and underground tickets. Angry consumers sealed ticket machines and encouraged fellow passengers to not buy tickets today in response to the second major ticket price increases which range from 33 to 180%.

With the Greek government anxious to cut public spending and raise revenue Athens has announced large cuts in public transport subsidies and increases in the cost of road tolls, trains ticket prices and other utilities such as electricity. However, with incomes plunging, the economy shrinking by nearly 5% and unemployment spiralling out of control such moves have angered Greek voters who are facing the most difficult financial conditions in a generation

Tomorrow activists have announced that they will direct their attentions to the country's motorway toll system which has also announced massive increases which have made the cost of travelling by road prohibitively expensive. It is currently cheaper to go from Athens to the country's second city, Thessaloniki by air than to drive.

More photographs can be found on the Demotix news service website.

Tripe and trotters

Tripe and trotters, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Recipe for Patsas (Greek tripe soup) can be found here

http://www.greek-recipe.com/static/content/Tripe_Soup.html

ΟΛΟΙ ΣΤΗ ΔΕΘ - Welcome to the Thessaloniki Interntional Trade Fair

ΟΛΟΙ ΣΤΗ ΔΕΘ - Welcome to the Thessaloniki Interntional Trade Fair
Originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ

The International Trade Fair held every September in Greece's second largest city, Thessaloniki is regarded as the opening of the political season after the usual pause for summer.

Every year the prime minister comes to city to lay out the government's plans for the coming winter. It is usually marked by massive protests astrade unions, political groups and activists gather for a show of strength.

This year's fair promises to be a volatile one as the massive job losses and wage cuts bite harder forcing millions into poverty as the country struggles with the worst economic downturn in 35 years.

Sin City Salonika

"Ποινή φυλάκισης 12 μηνών με τριετή αναστολή επέβαλε το Τριμελές Εφετείο Θεσσαλονίκης στο νομάρχη Παναγιώτη Ψωμιάδη, κρίνοντάς τον ένοχο για το αδίκημα της παράβασης καθήκοντος.

Η υπόθεση αφορούσε μείωση προστίμου σε πρατήριο υγρών καυσίμων -πρόστιμο το οποίο είχε επιβάλει προκάτοχος του κ. Ψωμιάδη."

In.gr

Panagiotis Psomiadis, leader of the Thessaloniki county council (prefecture) has been found guilty of neglect of duty and sentenced to a suspended sentence of 12 months. The conviction came after Psomiadis was accused of reducing a 89,000 euro fine imposed on a gas station owner for adulterating fuel to 5000.