Greek Anger Boils Over as Country Faces Bankruptcy
Black-masked protesters threw Molotov cocktails, stones and bottles and police fired teargas during clashes in central Athens Friday, as striking Greek workers denounced a new wave of austerity Friday as an imposition too far by Europe and the International Monetary Fund.
Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos told the nation it faced a stark choice between sacrifices inside the euro area and bigger sacrifices outside it.
The clashes in central Athens came at the start of a 48-hour general strike against planned pay and job cuts.
The Guardian newspaper reported that “running battles” broke out between protesters and police, with clashes in Syntagma Square.
Protesters clash with anti-riot police during a 48-hour general strike in Athens Friday.
‘Resist!’
Some protesters compared Greece’s plight, facing bankruptcy unless it accedes to the demands of international lenders, to its seven years under military dictatorship.
People in the Syntagma sang songs from the struggle in the 1960s and 1970 against a junta of colonels boomed out over loudspeakers.
PhotoBlog: Strike, protests erupt before crucial austerity vote
“Do not bow your heads! Resist!” they chanted. “No to layoffs! No to salary cuts! No to pension cuts!”
Police said some 7,000 people took part in the demonstration. Police said three policemen and two protesters were slightly injured in clashes. Five people were detained.
Another 10,000 Communist supporters held a separate, peaceful march.
Reuters said the street protests were relatively small and mostly peaceful, but there was widespread anger over the country’s plight.
Even the police, who have repeatedly clashed with protesters since the crisis broke out more than two years ago, announced resistance to the creditors’ demands.