Students and teachers march in Athens demanding affordable housing and education funding
The demonstration in Greece joined similar actions in Thessaloniki, Patras and other European cities.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Thousands of students and teachers marched through Athens on Wednesday, Oct. 21, demanding affordable student housing and greater state investment in education, according to reports from the Independent and the New York Post.
What happened
The rally moved along major streets in the Greek capital, with participants carrying banners such as “From Greece to France, give money to education” and signs in French reading “To study or to survive.” Riot police closely shadowed the march, conducting spot checks and bag searches, and stores and cafés rolled down steel shutters to protect their windows. Teachers declared a strike for the day, although some schools remained open.
What the reports add
- The Independent noted that similar protests were also taking place in Thessaloniki and Patras.
- The New York Post repeated that detail and added that the rally was jointly organized by teachers and students.
- The New York Post reported that police stood in front of the parliament during the demonstration.
- The New York Post mentioned an additional banner in French that read “Beauty is in the street.”
What was said
“It says that it is allegedly helping students, with a rent subsidy of 120 euros ($135) per month. That isn’t even enough for half a rent, and it’s also given at the end of the year.” – Panagiotis Moschonas, 20, engineering student, the Independent
“It says that it is allegedly helping students, with a rent subsidy of 120 euros ($135) per month. That isn’t even enough for half a rent, and it’s also given at the end of the year.” – Panagiotis Moschonas, 20, engineering student, New York Post
“Today we are striking because this situation can’t continue for our families, with the high costs, with us struggling to make it to the end of the month, with the situation in schools which is deteriorating exponentially year after year.” – Ioannis Rompas, teacher, the Independent
“Today we are striking because this situation can’t continue for our families, with the high costs, with us struggling to make it to the end of the month, with the situation in schools which is deteriorating exponentially year after year.” – Ioannis Rompas, teacher, New York Post
How it came about
The Athens march follows a series of demonstrations across the continent. Earlier coverage by Felo News documented violent cost‑of‑living protests in Milan, Paris and other French cities (cost‑of‑living protests spread from Milan to Paris and beyond), as well as large‑scale actions in Belgium, Italy, Portugal and France (Cost‑of‑living protests sweep Belgium, Italy, Portugal and France). Those events highlighted rising inflation, fuel price hikes and perceived cuts to public services, themes echoed by the Greek demonstrators.
Key facts
- Thousands marched in Athens demanding affordable student housing and more education funding. (independent.co.uk)
- Police shadowed the march and performed spot checks and bag searches. (independent.co.uk)
- Engineering student Panagiotis Moschonas criticised the €120 rent subsidy as insufficient. (nypost.com)
- Similar protests were held in Thessaloniki and Patras on the same day. (independent.co.uk)
Timeline
- 2026-10-17 — Cost‑of‑living protests in France, Belgium, Italy and Portugal draw tens of thousands.
- 2026-10-18 — Violent protests spread from Milan to Paris, causing injuries and arrests.
- 2026-10-21 — Students and teachers march in Athens, Greece.
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk
- [2] nypost.com
