by Maria Spiliopoulou
ATHENS, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Greek citizens marched across the center of the Greek capital on Friday, braving the bad weather conditions, to mark the 44th anniversary of the student uprising against the seven-year military junta that led to the restoration of democracy in the country.
"The uprising continues to raise awareness and shed light on the path of struggles of the present day for democracy, freedom and social justice," Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in an e-mailed message for the day.
The military dictatorship in Greece lasted from 1967 to 1974, and ended a few months after the student uprising in 1973.
Despite the heavy rainfall, parents and grandparents, students, professors, politicians and unionists stopped by the courtyard of the National Polytechnic University of Athens to pay homage to the more than 20 people, mainly young students, killed by junta forces.
As also happens every year, the demonstration ended in minor clashes between dozens of anarchists and anti-riot police forces.
According to police estimates, more than 10,000 people took part in the main march organized by students' unions and political parties. Some 7,000 police officers were deployed across the city center.
This year, protesters held one minute of silence in memory of the 16 people who lost their lives during the flash floods which hit western Attica earlier this week.
