A group of around 50 people gathered at Parikia beach on Paros Island, Greece, on 3 September, media reports said. They carried a massive sign reading "Reclaim the Beach," and one man used a loudspeaker to recite sections of the Greek constitution, speaking about how the beaches belonged to the country's citizens. This event marked a significant moment in the ongoing "beach towel revolt" campaign, which seeks to restore free access to beaches taken over by beach bars and businesses charging high prices for sun loungers and umbrellas.

<h2>Origins of the protests</h2>

The "beach towel revolt" began in May 2023 on Paros Island when residents concerned about environmental issues realised that free spots for swimming and sunbathing were dwindling. Beachside businesses are required to obtain licences from the Greek finance minister to set up loungers and umbrellas, with regular checks to prevent exceeding their designated space.

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However, protesters claim that these checks are rarely conducted, resulting in a scarcity of free beach areas.

<h2>Spreading nationwide</h2>

The movement gained momentum, with the September 3 demonstration initiating a nationwide campaign. Multiple beach towel protests took place across different regions of Greece on the same day.

Demonstrations have since occurred on nearby islands such as Naxos and Crete, and as far as Rhodes, Aegina, and Attica (home to Athens). The choice of Paros Island, particularly its central village's main beach, holds special significance as a popular spot for locals.

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The protests resonate with many Greeks who continue to face financial challenges stemming from a decade-old debt crisis.

Greece's tourism industry is its largest, with 15 million visitors in 2021, surpassing the total population. Media reports quoting critics argue that the tourism boom has lacked proper management, with local municipalities unable to control visitor flows.

Recent governments have promoted Greece as a sun and sea destination, facilitating foreign investment in tourism-related ventures, but oversight has been lacking, the reports said.&nbsp;

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The protests have garnered attention, prompting authorities to inspect one of Paros's most affected beaches, which had been overrun by unauthorized sun loungers. Consequently, the beach is now free of such loungers. However, the situation remains unchanged on many other beaches.&nbsp;

Despite the end of the summer peak season, campaigners consider the September protests as just the beginning, as per media reports.

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A group of around 50 people gathered at Parikia beach on Paros Island, Greece, on 3 September, media reports said. They carried a massive sign reading "Reclaim the Beach," and one man used a loudspeaker to recite sections of the Greek constitution, speaking about how the beaches belonged to the country's citizens.

A group of around 50 people gathered at Parikia beach on Paros Island, Greece, on 3 September, media reports said. They carried a massive sign reading "Reclaim the Beach," and one man used a loudspeaker to recite sections of the Greek constitution, speaking about how the beaches belonged to the country's citizens. This event marked a significant moment in the ongoing "beach towel revolt" campaign, which seeks to restore free access to beaches taken over by beach bars and businesses charging high prices for sun loungers and umbrellas. Origins of the protests The "beach towel revolt" began in May 2023 on Paros Island when residents concerned about environmental issues realised that free spots for swimming and sunbathing were dwindling. Beachside businesses are required to obtain licences from the Greek finance minister to set up loungers and umbrellas, with regular checks to prevent exceeding their designated space. Also Read | Tragic shooting at Louisiana high school leaves student dead and another in custody However, protesters claim that these checks are rarely conducted, resulting in a scarcity of free beach areas. Spreading nationwide The movement gained momentum, with the September 3 demonstration initiating a nationwide campaign. Multiple beach towel protests took place across different regions of Greece on the same day. Demonstrations have since occurred on nearby islands such as Naxos and Crete, and as far as Rhodes, Aegina, and Attica (home to Athens). The choice of Paros Island, particularly its central village's main beach, holds special significance as a popular spot for locals. Also Read | Ukraine missile attack causes fire at Crimean shipyard, damaging 2 ships, says Russia The protests resonate with many Greeks who continue to face financial challenges stemming from a decade-old debt crisis. Greece's tourism industry is its largest, with 15 million visitors in 2021, surpassing the total population. Media reports quoting critics argue that the tourism boom has lacked proper management, with local municipalities unable to control visitor flows. Recent governments have promoted Greece as a sun and sea destination, facilitating foreign investment in tourism-related ventures, but oversight has been lacking, the reports said. Watch | Apple iPhone 15 Event: Most exciting takeaways from the Apple launch event × The protests have garnered attention, prompting authorities to inspect one of Paros's most affected beaches, which had been overrun by unauthorized sun loungers. Consequently, the beach is now free of such loungers. However, the situation remains unchanged on many other beaches. Despite the end of the summer peak season, campaigners consider the September protests as just the beginning, as per media reports. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

'Beach towel revolt' sweeps Greece as locals reclaim their beaches from wealthy tourists

Thousands of Greek workers walked off the job on Thursday and rallied in central Athens to protest neglected safety standards they say had led to the deadliest train crash in the country's history.

Flights to and from Greece were grounded, ships remained docked at ports, and public services and state schools were closed as workers joined the 24-hour strike called by Greece's largest labour unions, GSEE and ADEDY.

The walkout is the latest in a series of protests since the head-on collision last month of a passenger train carrying more than 350 people, most of them university students, with a freight train near the city of Larissa in the central Greek region of Tempi. The crash killed 57.

Protesters accuse the conservative government and the country's political system of ignoring repeated calls by unions over deficient safety measures.

"It was not human error, it was crime," read a banner held by protesters rallying outside parliament in Athens. "Our dead, your profits," read another one.

Clashes broke out when a group of protesters broke off the rally and hurled petrol bombs at police officers, who responded with teargas.

More than 25,000 people rallied in central Athens, according to police estimates, and protests were also held in other Greek cities.

Last week, tens of thousands rallied in the capital and other cities in the largest street demonstrations the government has faced since being elected in 2019.

DELAY, APOLOGY AND PROMISES TO FIX

The train crash has stirred up public outrage against consecutive governments over the last decade that has delayed a plan to install safety systems across the country's 2,500-km (1,550-mile) rail network.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, whose term ends in July, has apologised over the crash, and promised to hire more staff and to fix the rail sector with support from the European Union.&nbsp;

The government has also acknowledged under-investment and neglect - a legacy of Greece's decade-long debt crisis - and ordered a judicial inquiry, but it has blamed the crash mainly on human error.&nbsp;

Four railway workers have been detained and accused of disrupting public transport leading to deaths.&nbsp;

Rail workers have staged rolling strikes, and demanded the government revamps the sector.&nbsp;

"We will not allow a lack of transparency, a cover-up, a renunciation of responsibilities and any delays to lead to oblivion," private sector union GSEE said in a statement.

Passenger and freight services, halted since March 1 for safety checks, are expected to resume gradually from next week.&nbsp;

Urban transport was also disrupted on Thursday as metro staff held work stoppages and taxi drivers joined the walkout.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, people laid flowers and candles at the Athens central train station, and carried placards bearing the slogans of the protests.&nbsp;

"Message me when you get there," read one carried by a student marching to parliament.&nbsp;

"Measures should have been taken a long time ago and (they should not be) waiting for an accident to happen to take them," 33-year old taxi driver Theodoros Dokos said. "Whatever the measures are, they do not appease the pain of the people."&nbsp;

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Thousands of Greek workers walked off the job on Thursday and rallied in central Athens to protest neglected safety standards they say had led to the deadliest train crash in the country's history.

Thousands of Greek workers walked off the job on Thursday and rallied in central Athens to protest neglected safety standards they say had led to the deadliest train crash in the country's history. Flights to and from Greece were grounded, ships remained docked at ports, and public services and state schools were closed as workers joined the 24-hour strike called by Greece's largest labour unions, GSEE and ADEDY. The walkout is the latest in a series of protests since the head-on collision last month of a passenger train carrying more than 350 people, most of them university students, with a freight train near the city of Larissa in the central Greek region of Tempi. The crash killed 57. Protesters accuse the conservative government and the country's political system of ignoring repeated calls by unions over deficient safety measures. "It was not human error, it was crime," read a banner held by protesters rallying outside parliament in Athens. "Our dead, your profits," read another one. Clashes broke out when a group of protesters broke off the rally and hurled petrol bombs at police officers, who responded with teargas. More than 25,000 people rallied in central Athens, according to police estimates, and protests were also held in other Greek cities. Last week, tens of thousands rallied in the capital and other cities in the largest street demonstrations the government has faced since being elected in 2019. DELAY, APOLOGY AND PROMISES TO FIX The train crash has stirred up public outrage against consecutive governments over the last decade that has delayed a plan to install safety systems across the country's 2,500-km (1,550-mile) rail network. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, whose term ends in July, has apologised over the crash, and promised to hire more staff and to fix the rail sector with support from the European Union. The government has also acknowledged under-investment and neglect - a legacy of Greece's decade-long debt crisis - and ordered a judicial inquiry, but it has blamed the crash mainly on human error. Four railway workers have been detained and accused of disrupting public transport leading to deaths. Rail workers have staged rolling strikes, and demanded the government revamps the sector. "We will not allow a lack of transparency, a cover-up, a renunciation of responsibilities and any delays to lead to oblivion," private sector union GSEE said in a statement. Passenger and freight services, halted since March 1 for safety checks, are expected to resume gradually from next week. Urban transport was also disrupted on Thursday as metro staff held work stoppages and taxi drivers joined the walkout. Meanwhile, people laid flowers and candles at the Athens central train station, and carried placards bearing the slogans of the protests. "Message me when you get there," read one carried by a student marching to parliament. "Measures should have been taken a long time ago and (they should not be) waiting for an accident to happen to take them," 33-year old taxi driver Theodoros Dokos said. "Whatever the measures are, they do not appease the pain of the people." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Striking Greeks protest over deadly train crash

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'Beach towel revolt' sweeps Greece as locals reclaim their beaches from wealthy tourists

Striking Greeks protest over deadly train crash