Skouries protesters Vs riot police

Taken at the anti-mining protests by the residents of the northern Greek region of Halkidiki. The riots police hid among the trees waiting to be called upon should the protests turn violent. The gold mine run by a Canadian based Eldorado corporation in conjunction with local oligarch owned business.

We will fight, we will win

We will fight, we will win, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Residents of ierissos protests against police arrests

Residents of ierissos protests against police arrests, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Two anti-mine protesters arrested by Greek police during raids this week were refused bail and may spend up to 18 months in jail before being tried. Outside police HQ in the city of Thessaloniki, 3000 supporters gathered in support.

www.demotix.com/news/1958261/anti-mine-protesters-greece-...

Greek police blockade against residents of Ierissos protesting againstarrest of activists

Greek police blockade against residents of Ierissos protesting against arrest of activists, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Two anti-mine protesters arrested by Greek police during raids this week were refused bail and may spend up to 18 months in jail before being tried. Outside police HQ in the city of Thessaloniki, 3000 supporters gathered in support.

www.demotix.com/news/1958261/anti-mine-protesters-greece-...

Mother protesting controversial El Dorado mining project in Halkidiki,Greece

Mother protesting controversial El Dorado mining project in Halkidiki, Greece, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Raid on homes of anti-mine protesters sparks protests in Greece

Raid on homes of anti-mine protesters sparks protests in Greece, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

An early morning raid by Greek police in the small town of Ierissos in northern Greece has sparked off another round of protests in the ongoing conflict between the Canadian El Dorado corporation and angry residents.

www.demotix.com/news/1947921/raid-homes-anti-mine-protest...

Protesters gather in Thessaloniki in solidarity with the residents ofIerissos following police raid

Protesters gather in Thessaloniki in solidarity with the residents of Ierissos following police raid, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Last night Greek police units raided two homes in the small town of ierissos, arresting two people. The town along with other communities in the Halkidiki region of northern Greece have been protesting a controversial gold mining project which they and many scientists say will have severe environmental consequences for the region.

The protests have brought about an intense reaction from the Greek police who have regularly sent riot police and anti-terrorist units into the area and has led to a number of clashes.

For more on the background to the story follow

AntiGoldGreece blog (Mostly in Greek but with some English entries) Use Google Translate.

antigoldgreece.wordpress.com/

Protests against the controversial El Dorado mining project in Halkidiki

Protests against the controversial El Dorado mining project in Halkidiki, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Protests against the controversial El Dorado mining project in Halkidiki

Protests against the controversial El Dorado mining project in Halkidiki, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Representatives of the village of Ierissos after their meeting with police and local authorities

Representatives of the village of Ierissos after their meeting with police and local authorities, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

After yesterday's violent confrontation between riot police, supported by armed anti-terrorist units and the residents of the Greek village of Ierissos, representatives of the community meet with the authorities in the northern port city of Thessaloniki to defuse mounting tensions over the controversial Skouries mine project.

Video from yesterday's clashes.



Background to the story

ΨΩΜΙ, ΠΑΙΔΕΙΑ, ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ, ΔΗΜΟΣΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΔΩΡΕΑΝ ΔΑΚΡΥΓΟΝΑ

ΨΩΜΙ, ΠΑΙΔΕΙΑ, ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΑ, ΔΗΜΟΣΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΔΩΡΕΑΝ ΔΑΚΡΥΓΟΝΑ, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Greek priest for town protesting controversial mining project speaks topress

Greek priest for town protesting controversial mining project speaks to press, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Here is the community's  protest blog (in Greek) 

And in English (via Google Translate)

Residents in the northern Greek region of Halkidiki protestcontroversial mining project.

Residents in the northern Greek region of Halkidiki protest controversial mining project., a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

Protesting against mining corporation's destruction of their local area

Protesting against mining corporation's destruction of their local area, a photo by Teacher Dude's BBQ on Flickr.

About 600 protesters took to the streets of Thessaloniki, Greece to voice their concerns about the destruction of their homes and livelihoods by mining corporations in the northern Greece