Panic on the Streets of Athens

2 minute read

In the spirit of the Indignados of Spain, tents began to appear in Syntagma Square in the center of Athens. This was the first time I began photographing the protests. Then, more tents appeared, a few tables and a microphone for announcements. I was constantly moving among them, taking pictures, trying to figure out their purpose. People began to gather in front of the Parliament, shouting slogans.

Then there was tear gas. People began running in all directions. I realized something was different this time. As a Greek, I felt the sadness and witnessed the pessimism in the faces of people passing by—youths talking constantly about a future that cannot be predicted. They kept coming, in greater numbers and with a stronger will to express themselves during this challenging time in our country.

The historical importance of these days of protest has become clear to me. Citizens from all walks of life were on the streets, demanding their rights to a better living and expressing their disappointment—not only against the present government, but against the entire system that’s developed over the years. Being there seemed the most natural decision, not only in trying to capture these feelings, but also letting them seep inside me in some way.

Angelos Tzortzinis is a freelance photographer based in Athens. In May 2010, his photographs of riots in Greece’s capital were published in TIME.

A man in Athens reacts after an attack by riot police on Syntagma Square, the site of mass protests in response to budget cuts, June 15, 2011. Angelos Tzortzinis
A fire burns amid violent clashes in central Athens June 15, 2011, where necessary but painful austerity measures aren’t going down well among a population coping with 16% unemployment. Angelos Tzortzinis
Demonstrators and riot police clash during a protest in Athens, June 15, 2011.Angelos Tzortzinis
Crowds rally in Athens against the austerity measures June 5, 2011. Angelos Tzortzinis
A protestor hurls a molotov cocktail during protests June 15, 2011.Angelos Tzortzinis
Riot police move towards the protestors at Syntagma square during a violent protest, June 15, 2011.Angelos Tzortzinis
Protestors chant against austerity measures outside of Parliament in Athens, June 12, 2011. Angelos Tzortzinis
Demonstrators wearing gas masks react during massive clashes in central Athens, June 15, 2011.Angelos Tzortzinis
Greek riot police detain a protestor, June 15, 2011.Angelos Tzortzinis
A demonstrator heaves a chunk of marble at riot police during clashes in central Athens, June 15, 2011.Angelos Tzortzinis
Tear gas billowed in the streets of central Athens during clashes between demonstrators and riot police, June 15, 2011.Angelos Tzortzinis
Riot police are seen through barricades protecting the Greek Parliament, June 15, 2011.Angelos Tzortzinis
Demonstrators chant the Greek national anthem during a protest in central Athens, June 15, 2011.Angelos Tzortzinis
A demonstrator seeks refuge near a statue of an ancient Greek runner during clashes, June 15, 2011.Angelos Tzortzinis
An injured protester at a rally outside of Parliament, June 15, 2011. Angelos Tzortzinis
Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou narrowly skirted political death in a vote of confidence in the Greek Parliament, after weeks of political infighting and escalating protests. A protestor in Syntagma Square June 21, 2011.Angelos Tzortzinis
Tens of thousands of protesters swarmed Parliament during the vote, June 21, 2011.Angelos Tzortzinis

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