Published : Sunday, 5 July, 2015, Time : 12:00 AM, View Count : 11
MELBOURNE, July 4: Hundreds of people rallied in Australia in solidarity with Greece on Saturday, mainly in Melbourne which has a large Greek community, ahead of the make-or-break weekend referendum on austerity measures. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has called on Greeks to vote 'No' on the referendum, which asks them if they want to accept more austerity in return for bailout funds. But Germany, France, Italy and European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker have warned that this option could be a vote against Greece's place in the euro, and maybe even in the European Union. "Our whole purpose today is to show Greek people that we're by their side," said Evy Yannas, one of the organisers of a rally in Melbourne which attracted several hundred people. "And hopefully when they turn on their television stations tomorrow before they vote in the referendum, they can (see) support and solidarity for them and hopefully that gives them a bit of courage and inspiration." Australia's southern city of Melbourne is dubbed the third largest Greek city in the world, and many at the rally on the steps of Victorian Parliament. ?AFP