Thousands of Greeks in all major cities took part last night in antifascist rallies protesting the killing of hip hop artist Pavlos Fyssas by a supporter of the extremist party Golden Dawn.

In Athens police fired tear gas at protesters who hurled petrol bombs and stones near the headquarters of Golden Dawn. The violence began after dozens of hooded demonstrators, some wearing motorcycle helmets, broke off from the initially peaceful march.

Golden Dawn is Greece’s third most popular party but polls since the killing of rapper Fyssas indicate the party has lost about a third of its public support.

Wednesday’s rallies by university students, labor unions and leftists have overshadowed a 48-hour public sector strike over layoffs demanded by Greece’s international lenders.

Source: enet