When a Greek prime minister visits a far-flung corner of the country he is traditionally welcomed with open arms. Instead of the red carpet, locals have rolled out protest banners, announced a mass protest, shuttered shops and staged a general strike. Some screamed “burn them alive” as they set upon the migrants, who included women and children, with burning bins and flares. So, too, do human rights groups who have opposed the left-led Greek government’s policy of containing refugees and migrants on the country’s outlying Aegean islands. Though downplayed as an act of extremists, the attack reflected the growing animus between locals and refugees on Lesbos.

Source: The Guardian May 03, 2018 12:00 UTC