Monday, September 10, 2018

Thousands of Greeks Protest in Thessaloniki; Oppose Republic of North Macedonia Name

Clashes between thousands of protesters and police occurred in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki on the evening of September 8, the Euro News website reports today (September 10, 2018).

The demonstrations were over a deal agreed to by Greece's prime minister , which allows the neighboring Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to now be called the Republic of North Macedonia -- thus ending a decades-old row about the country's name. (Macedonia is also the name of a province in northern Greece that has existed for over 2,000 years, and is the birthplace of Alexander the Great.)

Police fired tear gas and detained at least five people after angry crowds lit fires and threw objects near a trade fair where Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras was delivering a speech.

"There is one Macedonia and it's Greek, and that is non-negotiable," said one demonstrator. "History cannot be forgotten. Macedonia is here."

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