Mytilene, the capital and port of the island of Lesvos, has shut down in protest against the visit of Greece’s prime minister, Alexis Tsipras.
Shops and local services have pulled down their shutters as professional and trade organizations prepare to stage a rally at 7 p.m. local time (1600GMT) in the center of the town.
Residents are angry at the government’s policies on migration and VAT hikes.
Organizers are calling on all residents to participate in the march that will follow to the conference centre where Tsipras will address a regional meeting for the development of the Northern Aegean islands.
Security for Tsipras’ visit is tight and riot police reinforcements have arrived on the island.
The Greek premier’s visit comes amid a fresh spike in migrant arrivals from Turkey.
In April, dozens of people were injured after far-right extremists attacked a group of 200 migrants and asylum seekers who had camped out in the main square of Lesvos’ capital.
The local authority warns that similar incidents may occur again as tensions are hotting up in the island which is at the forefront of the migrant crisis in Greece.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
