Athens Parliament Changing of the Guard with Pigeon

This is really the guards changing positions at their stations.  They do a very formal stepping and stomping motion.  Even later in the day, when the daily strike demonstration happens (which quite literally shuts down the center of the city), they are at their posts with riot squad police on the steps behind them. A little unnerving to see police in the streets with assault rifles and bullet proof shields, but there is music and flag waving going on at the same time.  Quite the scene.  We did not hang around long.