Metro Station in Athens to Close Early Monday for Protest March

As the protest route will lead to the U.S. Embassy, significant traffic disruptions are also expected in central Athens throughout the evening

23.06.2025 15:00

Newsroom

Metro Station in Athens to Close Early Monday for Protest March

A man reads a sign informing passengers about a work stoppage at an entrance of Syntagma metro station in Athens December 13, 2010. Greek public transport and media workers on Monday launched a week of anti-austerity strikes expected to ground flights, disrupt services and pile rubbish on the streets during the holidays. REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis (GREECE - Tags: EMPLOYMENT BUSINESS POLITICS IMAGES OF THE DAY)

23.06.2025 15:00

Society

Newsroom

As the protest route will lead to the U.S. Embassy, significant traffic disruptions are also expected in central Athens throughout the evening

The central Syntagma metro station in Athens will close early this evening, following a decision by the Hellenic Police due to a scheduled protest and march towards the U.S. Embassy.

According to an official announcement from STASY, the operator of the Athens metro system, the Syntagma station will shut its doors at 6:00 PM local time. Trains will continue to pass through the station without stopping until further notice.

The closure is linked to a protest set to begin at 6:30 PM, organized in response to recent geopolitical developments in the Middle East. Specifically, demonstrators are rallying against a recent U.S. military strike on Iran and in solidarity with the people of Palestine, amid ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Protest Organized by Labor and Civic Groups

The rally was initially called by PAME, a prominent Greek trade union group. PAME issued a call to action under the message “Alarm Bells Are Ringing!”, urging workers and labor unions to mobilize against what it described as a new imperialist intervention. In a public statement, the group denounced the U.S. airstrike on Iran as a dangerous escalation that risks sparking a broader war in the region. It emphasized that Greece should not be complicit in any way, warning against the country becoming a staging ground for foreign military action.

A pro-Palestinian demonstrator holds a Palestinian flag in front of the Greek parliament, to protest against Israel’s blockade of aid into Gaza and to support the Global March to Gaza initiative, in Athens, Greece, June 15, 2025. REUTERS/Stelios Misinas

The demonstration has since gained broad support, with dozens of other unions and civic organizations announcing their participation. Among them are federations representing construction workers, private sector employees, municipal workers, healthcare staff, educators, and employees in the financial sector.

Nationwide Demonstrations Planned

Protests are not limited to the capital. Similar rallies are expected to take place in major cities across Greece, including Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion, Ioannina, and Corfu. Local labor unions, peace advocacy groups, and municipal organizations are coordinating gatherings in city squares, ports, and other central locations.

In Athens, participants will gather at three primary meeting points before converging on the main rally:

Kaniggos Square: for unions from both the public and private sectors
Omonoia Square: for trade associations, retirees, and women’s groups
Propylaia (near the University of Athens): for education workers, students, and academic staff

Public Advisory

Authorities are urging commuters and residents to plan their movements accordingly. As the protest route will lead to the U.S. Embassy, significant traffic disruptions are also expected in central Athens throughout the evening.

For visitors unfamiliar with the city, Syntagma Square is a central transportation hub and a major landmark, located near the Greek Parliament and many hotels, restaurants, and cultural sites. Travelers are advised to check local transportation updates and avoid the area during the protest.

Athens metro station closed protest