Greeks Strike Back Against Austerity Measures…Again

In the United States, the Occupy Wall Street movement rages on. In Rome just last week, protesters burned cars and battled it out with police. And now once again in Greece, citizens have taken to the streets in utter protest against their government’s recent austerity measures designed to stave off an economic collapse.

Wherever one is to look these days, it would seem that protests are lighting up the streets. Obviously enough there is something totally wrong with our world.

Grant J. Kidney

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Greek police fired tear gas as protestors threw firebombs, burnt dustbins and vandalised shops Wednesday at the start of a two-day strike ahead of a vote on a new austerity bill to stave off bankruptcy.

Police in Athens clashed with protesters outside parliament as more than 70,000 people according to authorities, and 200,000 according to unions, converged on central Syntagma Square.

At least 17 people including three civilians were hurt, among them an off-duty officer struck by unknown assailants who seized his service handgun, police said. Nearly 5,000 policemen were on alert in the capital.

Tear gas blanketed central Athens as police fought to keep control on the square in front of the Greek parliament.

Greek parliamentarians meanwhile adopted in first reading the new bill which introduces collective wage amendments, major tax break cuts, a new civil service salary system and temporary layoffs for thousands of public sector staff.

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Source: AFP

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