GREECE: Greek citizens stage mass protest to demand forests be replaced after disastrous fires

Thousands of Greek citizens gathered outside parliament in a show of "people power" to demand the government replant forests devastated by wildfires and protect them against developers. Shouting "shame!" and booing, scores of citizens of every age and profession gathered in a rare show of force outside the Greek parliament to express their concern over the future of Greece's forests. The country suffered devastating fires last week which Greeks say the government acted too slowly to prevent. "We believe no one has the right to deprive us of our clean air, of our oxygen, of life, and that's why we came here." said pre-school teacher Yiota. Protesters blew whistles and carried banners reading "give back the oxygen you stole from my grandchildren" and "developers away from our forests". Demonstrators demanded promises from the government that it would not backtrack on pledges to replant every tree burned down during this month's fires, which also destroyed parts of a national park on Parnitha mountain near Athens, home to rare plant and wildlife such as the endangered red deer, and a source of clean air for Athens. "I saw the pictures of the fire on television and it was as if sawing was putting a knife into me. This will have consequences in the future, we are all aware of that, and that's why I had to react, even like this." said 24 year old salesman Dimitris. More than 100 forest fires raged across the country last week destroying thousands of acres of rich vegetation and some homes in the worst fires in more than a decade. Authorities believe some of the fires were caused by arson. Forest fires are a recurring problem in Greece and protesters said years of promises that pre-emptive steps would be taken have not seen light.

ITN Source | July 9, 2007

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