Supporters of the Greek Communist party take part in an anti-war rally in front of the parliament, in Athens, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Thousands of supporters of the party marched to the U.S. embassy opposing the military strikes by western countries in Syria. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Thousands of Greeks turned up at a rally and march in central Athens organized by the Communist Party to protest the U.S.-led airstrikes against Syria.
The protesters gathered Saturday at Athens' central Syntagma Square before marching to the U.S. Embassy, chanting anti-U.S. slogans and carrying banners. Some wrote on the pavement in red paint: "Americans, murderers of people."
Police vehicles barricaded access to the embassy and protesters left peacefully.
Dimitris Koutsoumbas, the Communist Party's leader, blasted Greek politicians for believing "flimsy excuses about a use of chemical weapons" by Syria. He also criticized their "subservience" to the EU and NATO, as well as their support for Israel.
He told the crowd "the imperialists once again spill the blood of the local people. They destroy and splinter states by using fabricated evidence."
Supporters of the Greek Communist party chant slogans during an anti-war rally in front of the parliament, in Athens, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Thousands of supporters of the party marched to the U.S. embassy opposing the military strikes by western countries in Syria. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
Supporters of the Greek Communist party chant slogans during an anti-war rally in front of the parliament, in Athens, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Thousands of supporters of the party marched to the U.S. embassy opposing the military strikes by western countries in Syria. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
Supporters of the Greek Communist party chant slogans during an anti-war rally in Athens, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Thousands of supporters of the party marched to the U.S. embassy opposing the military strikes by western countries in Syria. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
A protester holds a burning U.S. flag during a rally outside the U.S. embassy in Athens, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Thousands of supporters of the Greek Communist party marched to the embassy during an anti-war rally opposing the military strikes by western countries in Syria. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
A protester holds a burning U.S. flag during a rally outside the U.S. embassy in Athens, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Thousands of supporters of the Greek Communist party marched to the embassy during an anti-war rally opposing the military strikes by western countries in Syria. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
A man walks in front of the U.S. embassy where the word " Murderers " is written on the street by supporters of the Greek Communist party, in Athens, Saturday, April 14, 2018. Thousands of people marched to the embassy during an anti-war rally opposing the military strikes by western countries in Syria. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press