The Port of Thessaloniki is blocked by thousands of farmers

The large farmers’ mobilization is currently underway in the center of Thessaloniki, with the passenger terminal of the port being blocked.

Farmers from every corner of Northern Greece are flocking to the area, demanding that their demands be met. The scene at the port is significant, with dozens of tractors lined up, and the crowd continues to grow as agricultural vehicles, cars, and tourist buses carrying protesters arrive.

Farmers from the blockades in Halkidiki, Serres, Derveni, Chalkidona, Florina, Kozani, and others are present at the port. The mobilization is particularly intense, with horns, flags, and flares.

The protesters have proceeded to block the passenger terminal, sending the message that they will remain there for at least four hours.

Outside the central gate of the Thessaloniki Port Authority (OLTH), hundreds of tractors and agricultural vehicles, along with over 1,000 farmers, livestock breeders, beekeepers, and other producers, have gathered. Workers’ unions and student organizations are also standing with the farmers.

“We are fighting for our survival against policies that push us off our land,” reads a banner at the Derveni farmers’ blockade. Despite the fact that the passenger terminal “Macedonia” is blocked by police and port authorities, the movement of goods is continuing normally through gates 15 and 16 of the port.

Due to the mobilization, road blockades and other parallel actions will not take place today at most locations

The next step for the farmers will be decided in the general assemblies that will follow, in connection with the nationwide meeting of the Farmers’ Block Committee, scheduled for tomorrow at 12:00 in Nikaia, Larissa. Representatives from at least 35-40 blockades are expected to attend. The farmers and livestock breeders are determined to escalate their mobilizations following this meeting if the government does not address their issues, which they claim threaten their survival.

In Imathia, Pella, and Pieria

Farmers are proceeding with a symbolic blockade of bypass roads starting at 11:00 AM in the agricultural blockade at the Kouloura junction.

During the blockade, farmers will distribute peach compote to motorists, as noted by the president of the Veroia Agricultural Association, Tasos Chalkidis. It is noted that the traffic restriction on bypass roads significantly slows traffic toward Veroia, especially due to the blockade at the Niselio junction in Imathia, where the direction toward Veroia on the Egnatia Highway has been indefinitely closed. Farmers and livestock breeders from Krya Vrysi in Pella have joined the blockade with their tractors and vehicles.

In the Western Macedonia Blockades

Farmers and livestock breeders continue to block the Siatista Bara on the Egnatia Highway, a key point in the region, with traffic for passenger vehicles and trucks being diverted via the old National Road from Kozani to Kastoria.

Every day, farmers and livestock breeders at the site distribute various agricultural products to passing drivers. A general assembly with representatives from other workers’ unions in Western Macedonia decided on a general strike on December 16. The assembly included 67 unions from across Western Macedonia, with mayors and regional councilors attending.

The Siatista blockade, along with other blockades in the region, remains strong, and further actions will follow based on the nationwide meeting in Larissa.

This translation captures the key points of the farmers’ ongoing protests and mobilizations across Northern Greece, with particular focus on Thessaloniki and other regions like Imathia, Pella, and Western Macedonia.