New law on university police leads to protest in Greece
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On Feb. 22, 31 people were arrested in Thessaloniki, Greece’s second largest city, while protesting a new campus security law, according to
The new measure approved by parliament earlier in February allows police to patrol and make arrests on university grounds, something that has been banned for decades. Although police on campuses are unable to carry firearms, they have authority to call in riot police at their discretion who are able to.
The legislation also plans for the creation of a special university police force that has the power to arrest and detain those deemed troublemakers and a “disciplinary council” that has the authority to suspend or expel students.
Police officers at Greek universities: The culture clash continues
The Greek government has passed a controversial law aimed at stationing police on university campuses. Academics fear the move will stifle freedom of expression while supporters say it s necessary.
A new controversial new is meant to put uniformed police on Greek campuses
A poster hangs above the dean s office at Aristotle University in Thessaloniki. Several hundred students have occupied the building on what would otherwise be a pretty empty campus these days, if it weren t for the students and an equal number of police facing off against them. The students are protesting a recent law that would see police stationed on university campuses. The government says the move is necessary to fight crime, but students and professors say essential freedoms are at stake in a country where universities have been an important part of Greek history.