Protests broke out at Syntagma Square and Propylaea on Tuesday afternoon (6/10), organized by student unions, labor associations, and political parties opposed to the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Greece. Crowds in Athens began gathering from 7:00 p.m., with demonstrators planning a march toward the American Embassy. In response to the protests and Rubio’s presence in the country, traffic police announced a series of road traffic measures across the city center.
KKE leader Koutsoumbas speaks at Syntagma Square over Rubio visit
“The Greek people can take no more,” declared Dimitris Koutsoumbas, Secretary General of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), addressing the rally at Syntagma Square. He elaborated: “The Greek people can take no more. They have already paid a heavy price all these years for the strategic agreement with the United States of America — through energy poverty, skyrocketing costs, crushing taxation, and massive military spending that serves no defensive purpose for our country. And of course, through our country’s entanglement in wars and the fact that Greece has been filled from end to end with American military bases of death.
The Vertical Corridor for the promotion of overpriced American liquefied natural gas will make things worse — it will send the cost of living and energy poverty soaring, slash ordinary people’s incomes, strip away workers’ rights, and drag our country deeper into imperialist rivalries in the region and into the war plans of its allies.”
Anti-war rally in Thessaloniki over Rubio’s visit to Greece
An anti-war protest rally also took place in Thessaloniki, sparked by Marco Rubio’s visit to Greece. See related photos below:
Traffic restrictions and road closures
The Greek Police (ELAS) issued the following official statement regarding traffic measures: “In the context of the U.S. Secretary of State’s visit to Athens, and in anticipation of announced protest gatherings and marches, temporary and phased traffic restrictions will be implemented on key road arteries in central Athens.
The traffic measures will come into effect from the afternoon and evening hours of Tuesday, October 6, 2026, through to the morning hours of Thursday, October 8, 2026, with peak disruption expected throughout the entirety of Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
Specifically:
- Temporary traffic interruptions and diversions will be in place on major road arteries in central Athens, around Syntagma Square, and along key boulevards including Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, Vasileos Konstantinou Avenue, Vasilissis Amalias Avenue, Panepistimiou Street, and Stadiou Street, as well as any additional road points as required.
- Restrictions will be gradually extended or lifted depending on prevailing conditions.
Drivers are strongly advised to:
- Avoid driving into central Athens altogether, particularly throughout the entirety of Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
- Make use of public transportation.
- Those who must drive in the greater city center area should follow the instructions of traffic police officers stationed at key points to facilitate the flow of traffic.
We kindly ask for drivers’ understanding and cooperation in order to prevent additional traffic disruptions.”
