Austerity plan sparks Greek protests, Finance Ministry set on fire
Athens, Greece (AHN) – Angry protesters set Greece’s Finance Ministry on ablaze as nearly 20,000 strikers marched through the streets of central Athens on Wednesday. The violence and protests were part of a national strike against austerity measures closed down services, hospitals and schools.
Most of the marchers were peaceful but some demonstrators clashed with riot police outside of the country’s parliament. They threw rocks, bottles and firebombs at authorities.
Soon after the melee thick plumes of smoke surrounded the area directly around the Finance Ministry located in Syntagma Square. Police believe protesters threw a fire bomb into the second floor of the building.
As part of the day long nationwide strike in Greece on Wednesday schools, hospitals and public sector services were shuttered in protest after the socialist-led parliament passed a new round of austerity reforms.
Flights into and out of Greece from Athens International Airport were cancelled. Ships in the city’s harbor also remained anchored in addition to national and suburban trains.
Public transportation has been halted since Tuesday but limited service was restored for Wednesday’s protests.
The country’s two largest umbrella unions, the GSEE and ADEDY, representing both the public and private sector supported the day of protests.
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