ATHENS, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of protesters marched in the centre of Athens and Thessaloniki in northern Greece on Saturday, chanting slogans against the U.S. airstrike in Iraq which killed Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.
"Get your hands off Tehran", screamed banners held by demonstrators outside the U.S. embassy in Athens.
The peaceful rallies were organized by leftist groups and the Movement United Against Racism and the Fascist Threat (KEERFA), which condemned the U.S. policy in the region and urged Athens not to get involved in any "imperialist military operations," according to their press releases.
Speaking to Xinhua during the Athens demonstration, Petros Constantinou, coordinator for the local KEERFA, said Greeks and migrants and refugees living in Greece are raising their voices against any more blood shedding, joining the anti-war movement across the world.
"We say no to Trump's war...The anti-war movement is here demanding peace, condemning the American imperialism," he added.
Grigoris Adamopoulos, another protestor, told Xinhua: "This is a region which has already paid a big price with blood shedding, with people as victims for the U.S. strategy, and the competition among big powers seeking to promote their interests in the area."
"We are here to condemn this attack and American policy. This policy is a threat also to our nation, our country, which is so close to the Middle East," he added.
Christina S. also condemned the "bullying" in international politics and expressed concern over the possible repercussions throughout the region and the world.
"We are here to resist the U.S. imperialist policy and their bullying, particularly in the Middle East. No more wars. Societies are progressing and we should learn from our mistakes. What is happening in a neighboring country affects us all. The value of human life is the same, beyond borders," she stressed.
