Miners demonstrating paralyze Athens center

Earlier today, the workers staged a rally outside the Ministry of Productive Reconstruction and a delegation had a meeting with Deputy Minister Yannis Tsironis and General Secretary Ministry Aris Alexopoulos.

As the President of the union of technicians and staff, Giorgos Hatzis, stated after the end of the meeting, there was no clear answer from Mr. Tsironis. The Deputy Minister of Environment said, that he merely told miners that the Ministry will maintain all legitimacy. The miners, for their part, felt determined to vigorously pursue their action.

The miners will then march to the offices of the company, the Canadian Embassy, ​​the European Commission's offices, the Maximos Mansion, the House and the Finance Ministry. The miners are seeking a face to face meeting with Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, however sources at Maximos Mansion said that there will be no meeting.

The 5,000 miners, arrived this Thursday morning in Athens with 85 buses seeking the continued operation of the mines.

They are warning that they came to Athens to stay until they see the prime minister, Alexis Tsipras. Speaking to Skai, a Halkidiki miner said:

"We do not want to talk with any more ministers. They are full of lies. We want the Prime Minister to give an immediate solution to our problem. "

"We are workers, not terrorists", "we won't not go away if not vindicated", "Hands off the mines" are some of the slogans shouted by protesters.

The mobilization is unprecedented, as this is not a protest made by members or employees of the State, but by private company employees.

The miners of Halkidiki had their blockades left the day before and decided to stop protests until today, April 16.