Thousands of people demonstrated Wednesday in Athens and in the second largest Greek city, Thessaloniki, against the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party following the killing of anti-racist activist and hip hop performer Pavlos Fissas by one the party’s supporter.
In Athens, clashes erupted between protesters and police as police reportedly blocked attempts to march on Golden Dawn offices.
"The days of tolerance are over," one banner was quoted as saying.
Demonstrators gathered near parliament demanding the party be banned. They also called for the prosecution of its leadership along with party members accused of involvement in racist attacks as well as other crimes such as blackmail and racketeering.
We are afraid to go out of our houses. There are Golden Dawn gangs everywhere. They beat up people regardless of their religion, their sex, everything,” said one man at the protest.
“Golden Dawn should face the law. A way must be found so people should stop supporting them. They are inside the schools poisoning our children,” a woman added.
In recent months, Golden Dawn has been accused of perpetrating attacks on migrants and political opponents - including an attack on Communist Party members earlier this month said to have left nine people in hospital.
The alleged attacks have taken place against a backdrop of social unrest linked to the economic crisis in the debt-ridden country.
The government has also begun an inquiry into the activities of Golden Dawn, which won nearly 7% of the vote in 2012 elections.
Greek officials are considering banning the party with Greek Public Order Minister Nikos Dendias saying last week that the government would table emergency legislation seeking to outlaw it.
‘’Neither the state will tolerate, nor society accept, acts and practices that undermine the legal system,” said Dendias.
The Greek authorities have also launched an inquiry into allegations that members of the country's armed forces have helped to train hit squads formed by Golden Dawn.