Thousands of farmers participate in a massive protest rally in Athens

Thousands of farmers who have descended on Athens from numerous regions of Greece on Friday to protest against the social security, pension and tax reforms that the Greek government proposes are gathered outside the Parliament at Syntagma square.

The march started from Omonoia square headed by 20 tractors from farmers of the Nikaia roadblock in Larisa, central Greece. When they arrived outside the Parliament they lit fires and burned olive and laurel branches.

Shortly after 20.00 the tractors left, but, despite the rain the farmers remained outside the Parliament while they also set tents at Syntagma square as they intend to spend the night there.

They also cooked bean soup to eat and offer some soup to the residents of Athens who participate in the rally supporting their protest actions.