Locals block ports on Lesvos and Chios, as gov’t deploys 200 riot police

The Greek government is deploying 200 riots policemen, police buses and water canons to the islands of Lesvos and Chios in an effort to inhibit local reactions against the plans to create closed migration centers with large capacity for migrants and refugees. Local authorities and residents have been flocking to the ports of the two islands in order to prevent the forces from the Greek capital disembark on the islands. Tension is high and the night is expected to be very long.

Lesvos

Local authorities moved trash trucks to the port of Mytilene on Monday night in order to prevent dozens for riot policemen and water canons to disembark from ferry “Pegasus.” 

Λιμάνι Μυτιλήνης https://t.co/9oLvYpLFaA

— Thomas Mavrofides (@blacktom1961) February 24, 2020

People have started to flock to the port with local riot police trying to push them away from the docks.

Still at midnight, people keep flocking to the port, reports stonisi.

At the same time, church bells have tolled in villages near Karava, where the migration center is to be constructed, and locals are getting ready to “welcome” the riot police from Athens.

At the same time, church bells have tolled in villages near Karava, where the migration center is to be constructed, and locals are getting ready to “welcome” the riot police from Athens.

The government chartered ferry Pegasus that left the port of Lavrio in Attica at 2:30 Monday afternoon. It is expected to arrive at Lesvos in the early morning hours of Tuesday. The ferry reportedly cancelled its schedule to the island of Limnos declaring “a damage.”

Chios

Another ferry, the Blue Star Naxos, is sailing to the island of Chios also with a very strong riot police force, police buses and water canons.

Locals started to flock to the port of Mesta on Monday night as well.

Short time later, two local riot police squads were deployed at the port, waiting for the ferry’s arrival, politischios reports.

The religious leader of Chios, Metropolit Markous, has appealed at those arriving form Athens to respect the locals and do not use force.

Worth noting that both ferries have shut down the GPS in order to distract locals about their arrival time, as daily efsyn and other media report.

The government is determined to proceed with its migration centers plans, but locals – authorities and residents – are also determined to not allow this happen.

“Unfortunately, the government has chosen the worst path and is solely responsible for what will happen,” local daily lesvosnews notes.

PS Shut down GPS? As if the locals have no relatives and friends working on the ferries….