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Nationalist groups protested with a leftist counter protest in Thessaloniki, Greece

The nationalist group "Ieros Lohos" (translated as sacred squad) gathered in front of the city's symbol, the White Tower, in Thessaloniki, Greece, on July 19, 2017. They protested for the Turkish occupation in Cyprus island. Also 20th of July is the day that Turkey invaded Cyprus island. They commemorated the names of the victims from the Turkish invasion. The traffic in Thessaloniki city was blocked by the police as there was a counter protest from leftist-anarchist group against the nationalists. They got closer, but there was heavy riot police presence that didn't allow anything to happen. There were a few incidents, anarchists fighting with the police for short period of time. Nationalist marched with torches on their hands in the city for a while, passing below the statue of Alexander the Great that they respect. Tourists in the city were taking selfie pictures with the protesters or the police. (Photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto)

Photo ID	#2085335
Date Taken	19 July 2017
Location	N/A
Photographer	Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto
Category	Social Issue
Copyright	© 2026 NurPhoto - Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto

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