Greek students and teachers march through Athens over the soaring cost of living as Europe-wide protests spread

Engineering student Panagiotis Moschonas, 20, says the government's €120 monthly rent subsidy "isn't even enough for half a rent" and only arrives at year's end. Teachers walked out on strike, though some schools stayed open. Riot police shadowed the march, searching bags of those heading in. Rallies also hit Thessaloniki and Patras.

Cardboard signs held aloft by protesters bore a message in French: 'To study or to survive.'

Teacher Ioannis Rompas said families cannot get through to the end of the month financially.

Along the route, shops and cafes lowered steel shutters to protect their windows from being smashed.