By Andria Kades and Gina Agapiou
Limassol’s seafront thundered with chants saying “hands off migrants” on Saturday evening as more than 500 people called out slogans against fascism, reacting to a week of racist attacks on foreign nationals in Cyprus.
The peaceful demo had scores of riot police officers following them, as people of all nationalities shouted out in favour of inclusivity. Police water canon Aiantas was also at the scene.
The demonstrators showed their frustration at the police who were widely condemned for failing to prevent the attacks in Limassol on Friday night.
“Nazi cops you’re all same,” some demonstrators shouted, with others calling for “immediate deportation to cops and nazis”.
Upon hearing these slogans, officers threatened to arrest anyone who chanted something they considered offensive. Some officers shouted back “show some respect.”
Earlier, police had arrested six persons for the offences of illegal possession of offensive weapons. The arrests were made during checks before the protest started in Limassol, in which the persons in question were due to take part, police said.
At the protest, Efi Xanthou, from the Greens party referred to how hooligans smashed up Limassol and asked police where was this zeal on Friday night.
The demonstrators chanted in Greek and English “Say it loud say it clear, immigrants are welcome here.”
The demonstration under the slogan ‘against fascist pogroms’ started at 7pm at the GSO stadium area from where people marched down to Molos and then returned to the meeting place. It ended about one hour and a half later.
Afterwards, a small group of approximately 25 people went to Limassol CID to wait for the arrested persons to be released.
The anti-fascist protest follows a violent anti-immigrant rally by around two hundred far-right protesters in the Molos area on Friday night. The demonstration turned into an almost war-like scene, with protestors destroying immigrant-run business and attacking people of colour.
Police arrested 13 people over the incidents but the force was heavily criticised over their failure to control the situation.
President Nikos Christodoulides also denounced the violent episodes, saying he felt shame over the attacks and indicated that those responsible should feel shame as well.
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Mail
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Mail
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