Following the invitation of the guard of the Parliament, the names of the 57 victims of the Tempi railway tragedy, which were written in red paint in front of the monument of the Unknown Soldier, were erased by protesters of yesterday's strike rally, according to a statement by the Deputy Mayor of Cleanliness of the Municipality of Athens, Roxanis Bey.
Roxani Bey emphasizes that "the cleaning crew of the municipality of Athens erased last night the names of the victims of the tragedy of Tempi, which had been written in Syntagma Square, following the invitation of the guard of the Parliament".
"I apologize to the families and to the thousands of citizens"
The deputy mayor of Kathariotas "states unequivocally" that "I never gave an order for something like this to happen and I was never informed of this unjustified action, which I find categorically against. The criticism is absolutely justified."
Finally, Roxani Bey points out that she also participated in the strike demonstrations for the Tempe tragedy. "I apologize to the families and to the thousands of citizens, among whom I was, who demonstrated, demanding justice for the victims of Tempe," he emphasized.
Roxani Bey on MEGA: I understand the reactions but I am explaining the usual practice
Earlier, speaking to MEGA, the Deputy Mayor for Cleanliness of the Municipality of Athens emphasized that the municipal crews clean the specific spot every time after the marches.
"I was informed yesterday and I also saw it on social media. Generally the cleaning crews after marches and every day, wash the spot. No special crews went, let's make that clear. I was also on the course and had not seen this issue. I hadn't even talked to a crew," said Roxani Bey.
Afterwards, the Deputy Mayor of Cleanliness asserted that "there the crew goes steadily, they didn't call me to ask me to 'turn it off or not to turn it off'." The workers went to the scene at 23:30, the time they usually go. I understand the reactions but I am explaining the usual practice. There was no other special communication."
Finally, the Deputy Mayor of Cleanliness pointed out that the crews "always go after marches, they didn't go specifically".
Angry reactions on social media for erasing names
From the moment it became known that the names of the 57 dead of Tempe were erased outside the monument to the Unknown Soldier, fierce reactions broke out on social media with shots being fired at everyone.
Some say the erasure is a "shame" and a "disgrace", while others are calling for the names to be rewritten or a banner to be put up to make amends for last night's act.
Source: in.gr