Athens Polytechnic uprising: Events reach their peak – How public transport will operate

A large crowd of people of all ages, along with student unions and workers’ organizations, filled the historic Polytechnic building on Patission Avenue from early Monday morning, coming to lay flowers and honor the anniversary of November 17.

Schools laid wreaths, while during the wreath-laying by the Palestinian Community of Greece, the chant “Freedom for Palestine” echoed across the grounds.

Since Saturday, November 15, the historic complex has been open for citizens, student groups and organizations wishing to leave flowers and wreaths.

On the morning of November 17, the President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tasoulas, and the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, also laid wreaths.

Κατάθεση στεφάνων στο Πολυτεχνείο

The Polytechnic is expected to remain open until 13:00, after which the traditional march to the U.S. Embassy will take place.

Athens is turning into a “fortress,” with around 5,500 police officers deployed from various Hellenic Police divisions, including Public Order, Security and Traffic.

Security measures will be in place around the Polytechnic, and once the march begins, strong police forces will be positioned in front of the gates to prevent individuals with no connection to the university from entering. Additional units—including riot police squads and teams from DRASI, DIAS and OPKE—will be deployed around Exarchia Square and surrounding streets where necessary.

Further measures will be implemented around the U.S. and Israeli Embassies, as some groups may attempt once again to head toward the Israeli Embassy. Additional precautions will also be taken around other embassies, as well as in Syntagma and around Parliament.

Police drones and helicopters will relay continuous footage to the Athens Police Operations Center, monitoring the march and the Exarchia area for individuals attempting to climb onto rooftops. Prosecutors will also be present at the Operations Center to make immediate decisions if required.

Water-cannon vehicles will be positioned at key locations, and throughout the march, strong MAT (riot police) forces and Security units will be on standby for targeted preventive detentions.

Police presence was already heightened over the weekend and will reach its peak on Monday.

Polytechnic Anniversary: How public transport will operate

Changes to public transport services, in effect since Saturday (15/11) due to the celebrations for the 52nd anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising, will remain in place until Tuesday, 18/11/2025 at 06:00.

To ensure safe operation for both vehicles and passengers, OASA will implement temporary route modifications and relocation of starting points for bus and trolley lines around the Polytechnic and throughout central Athens, gradually and depending on traffic conditions and police instructions, until Tuesday at 06:00.

Today, Monday 17/11/2025, by order of the police, the metro stations Syntagma, Evangelismos, Megaro Mousikis, Panepistimio and Omonia (Lines 1 & 2) will close at 14:00. Trains will pass through without stopping. Reopening will be announced upon new police instructions. Additional changes may be imposed as required.

For more information, passengers may contact the 11185 information center or consult the OASA Telematics app.

Today, Monday 17/11/2025, route X95 SYNTAGMA – ATHENS AIRPORT (EXPRESS) will operate only up to Katehaki Metro Station.

Traffic Restrictions in Effect

Due to the anniversary events, emergency traffic measures will remain in place in central Athens until Tuesday (18/11). These include bans on parking and stopping, and road closures, applied gradually depending on current conditions.

Rallies, March and Traffic Measures in Thessaloniki

Traffic measures are also in place in Thessaloniki for the commemorations of the 52nd anniversary of the Polytechnic uprising.

The gathering is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Polytechnic School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, from where the march toward the city center will begin.