Londoners staged a rally in Trafalgar Square today to show support for financially-crippled Greece as the country faces a crunch referendum over its future.
The protest in central London was one of several being held across the UK ahead of the crucial poll tomorrow.
Greek voters are reported to be in turmoil over whether to defy creditors and push for better repayment terms or essentially seek new political leadership to find a compromise.
The referendum has been called by prime minister Alexis Tsipras, who has promised to ease austerity after six years of recession.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">In Trafalgar Square to bring solidarity greetings from the <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/pplsassembly" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-12151-https://twitter.com/pplsassembly" data-vars-event-id="c23">@pplsassembly</a> to the Greek people. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CancelGreekDebt?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-12151-https://twitter.com/hashtag/CancelGreekDebt?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#CancelGreekDebt</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/oxi?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-12151-https://twitter.com/hashtag/oxi?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#oxi</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=9&id=222025&p=http://t.co/oNHYlZzaBL" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-12151-http://t.co/oNHYlZzaBL" data-vars-event-id="c23">pic.twitter.com/oNHYlZzaBL</a>— John Hilary (@jhilary) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/jhilary/status/617322233564934144" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-12151-https://twitter.com/jhilary/status/617322233564934144" data-vars-event-id="c23">July 4, 2015</a>
Mr Tsipras is gambling the future of his new left-wing government on tomorrrow's snap poll, insisting a No vote will strengthen his hand to negotiate a third bailout with better terms. If he loses, he has indicated he will step down.
Athens' high-stakes stand-off with lenders saw Greece default on debts this week, close banks to avoid their collapse, and lose access to billions of euros after an existing bailout deal expired.
In Trafalgar Square today, Greek supporters listened to speeches from Green Party leader Natalie Bennett and members of the Unite union, as well as enjoying Greek food and music.
Attendees were also given the chance to vote in a mock referendum, in which they voted 'No' to austerity.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/GreekSolidarity" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-12151-https://twitter.com/GreekSolidarity" data-vars-event-id="c23">@GreekSolidarity</a> Campaign gathering at Trafalgar Square to say <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OXI?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-12151-https://twitter.com/hashtag/OXI?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#OXI</a> - No to <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/austerity?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-12151-https://twitter.com/hashtag/austerity?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#austerity</a> and blackmail in <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Greece?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-12151-https://twitter.com/hashtag/Greece?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#Greece</a>. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=9&id=222025&p=http://t.co/6mMtyBFCb7" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-12151-http://t.co/6mMtyBFCb7" data-vars-event-id="c23">pic.twitter.com/6mMtyBFCb7</a>— Debt Resistance UK (@DebtResistUK) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DebtResistUK/status/617321826432192512" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-12151-https://twitter.com/DebtResistUK/status/617321826432192512" data-vars-event-id="c23">July 4, 2015</a>
Andrew Burgin from Greece Solidarity Campaign said: "As Greece approaches this crucial day, we stand with the people.
"Huge numbers rallied yesterday in Athens’ Syntagma Square. We want to show the huge support that there is for them in Britain and across Europe.
"Greeks are standing firm in the face of financial blackmail. The only answer to this crisis is to admit the debt is impossible to pay, and cancel it."
Additional reporting by the Press Association
