While politicians issued statements of condolence and tried to distance themselves from the tragedy, saying it may not have been related to the economic crisis despite the note, Christoulas’ suicide galvanised Greek society, sparked candlelight vigils, protests and battles with riot police who tried to disperse crowds who had gathered under the tree that same day.
Dok su političari izražavali saučešće i pokušavali da se distanciraju od tragedije, navodeći da ona, uprkos poruci, možda nije povezana da ekonomskom krizom, Kristulasovo samoubistvo je pokrenulo grčko društvo. Održana su bdenja, protesti i došlo je do okršaja sa interventnom policijom, koja je pokušala da rastera građane koji su se okupili ispod drveta istog tog dana.