They’re Rioting Again in the Streets of Greece
- Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:27am by
Jonathon M. Seidl
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ATHENS, Greece (The Blaze/AP) — Greek riot police and protesters have clashed outside parliament during a mass rally taking place as part of a general strike.
Police fired tear gas Wednesday at scores of protesting youths, who hurled rocks and firebombs as running battles broke out.
More than 30,000 protesters had attended the rally, while the general strike halted public transportation and led to the cancellation of more than 100 flights at Athens International Airport, as unions stepped up opposition to the country’s austerity measures.
The general strike halted public transportation across Greece on Wednesday and led to the cancellation of more than 100 flights at Athens International Airport, as unions stepped up opposition to the country’s austerity measures. More than 30,000 protesters chanting “Don’t obey the rich — Fight back!” marched to parliament as the city center was heavily policed. A brass band, tractors and cyclists joined one of two main rallies, by a Communist-backed union.
State hospital doctors, ambulance drivers, pharmacists, lawyers and tax collectors also joined school teachers, journalists and thousands of small businesses in the 24-hour strike as more middle-class groups took part in the protest than have in the past. Athens’ main shopping district was mostly empty, as many small business owners shuttered their stores.
This year‘s first major labor protest in Greece began as Prime Minister George Papandreou’s Socialist government faces international pressure to make more lasting cuts after the nation’s debt-crippled economy was rescued from bankruptcy by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.
The government urged protest organizers to prevent potentially violent groups from blending in with peaceful protesters — a common problem for Greek police at large rallies.
“Those who organize rallies must also police them. Everyone has the right to express their views in protest but it must be peaceful … It will be a crucial day,” Public Order Minister Christos Papoutsis said.
The strike halted trains, ferries and most public transport across the country, and idled many airlines at the international airport.
“For us workers, even though the legislation (for austerity measures) has passed, they are not a part of our lives. We have not accepted them,” striking postal worker Dimitris Katsantonis said while standing outside a closed central Athens post office.
Unions are angry at ongoing austerity measures put in place by the Socialist government in exchange for a euro110 billion ($150 billion) bailout loan package from European countries and the IMF.
Stathis Anestis, deputy leader of Greece’s largest union, the GSEE, said workers should not be asked to make more sacrifices during a third straight year of recession.
“The measures forced on us by the agreement with our lenders are harsh and unfair. … We are facing long-term austerity with high unemployment and destabilizing our social structure,” Anestis told The Associated Press. “What is increasing is the level of anger and desperation … If these harsh policies continue, so will we.”
Anestis said around 60 demonstrations were being planned in cities and towns across Greece, while the GSEE was in talks with European labor unions to try and coordinate future strikes with other EU countries.
Earlier this month, international debt monitors said Greece needed a “significant acceleration” of long-term reforms to avoid missing its economic targets. It also urged the Socialist government to embark on a euro50 billion ($68 billion) privatization program to pay for some of its mounting national debt that is set to exceed 150 percent of the GDP this year.
The IMF has said some of the frequent demonstrations against the Greek government’s reforms were being carried out by groups angry at losing their “unfair advantages and privileges.”
___
AP Television’s Theodora Tongas contributed to this report.
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Comments (64)
Sterling Mac
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 10:04am@SLEAZYHIPPO: You are essentially the same as a whale eating mo RON… already
Report Post »MistaB
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 10:04amSleazyHippo, There is no doubt in my mind that the people of this country would do whatever is necessary to save this country, including your one time payment, but what would happen is that this government would continue to overspend, and drive us deeper into debt. Let Washington get their act together and balance the budget and only then should they ASK the patriots of this country for help, instead of coming into our lives and TAKING what they think is fair.
Report Post »Sterling Mac
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:43amHahahahaha!!! This is hilarious… Stupid people crack me up:) …My amusement quickly dissipates as reality sobers my sickened head… Stupid people hurt people:( …GREECE NEEDS A TEA PARTY!!!
Report Post »sleazyhippo
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:53amThose Grecian protesters are essentially the same as the national tea party already
Report Post »psst
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:39amCommunism IS on the march world wide.
Islam extremists are on the march worldwide.
Some may think Islam religion is anathema to communism,and vice versa. Not so. There are moslem communists.
The Shah of EyeRan threw many Moslem communist and radical in prison. Until Jimma Caata, he of the Swamp Rabbit attack fame pressured the Shah to release them and to bring back Homeni or Khomeni ( I can’t keep the menis straight) from exile in France.
Hell, we have a Moslem marxist sitting in the WH rat now.
Greece and Spain are starting to happen right here, rat now. They have not ignited their molotovs. Yet.
Report Post »The idiotic stupid fools in the rank and file don’t even know they are being manipilated..
These are the fools we call educators here in ameriKa. Then we wonder why Lil Johnny and Susie cant “reed or rite”
Didn’t these so-called educators(?) hear Trumka a few weeks ago when he said his concern was not for union workers, his concern was for World socialism.
The man told them he was a communist. But they did not believe what he said.
And this communist speaks to the moslem communist in the WH daily.And visits 2-3 times weekly.
Uncle Crusty
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 12:29pmoh yeah, BIG time connections and motives between Amerikan Communists/Socialists/Progressives and Islamo-Fascists, societal evolution they say huh? So we have Democrat congressmen about Wisconsin…calling to get out in the streets and get a little bloody?? WTF? Strap in tight now, don’t just buckle up, I think a world wide revolution is about happen in earnest, I mean EVERYWHERE in FIRE! Not good…
Report Post »Mister_Bill
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:33amA fool and his(her) money are soon separated. I am glad to see that somebody is acting like the adult in the room. This is not different than any other “union” protest. They think that “The Man(Woman)” is all knowing and all powerful with money just sitting in the bank. Well lets go get some “Obama money” and pay off the kidnappers that have stolen our pride and honor.
Report Post »positive1
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:33amJust remember highly educated people (organized by private universities), politicians, lawyers, have got these countries in these situations with their ponzi schemes, not the middle class, or the un-educated. Union workers for the most part are just another political tool not the master minds. Wall street and the world banks control the strings.
Report Post »wash1776
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:28amIt seems so many of these demonstrations are by the young. They have grown up being taught to look out only for themselves with no regard for others. They are causing financial loss for bunsinesses and great inconvenience for a lot of people. But with the good old communist unions to back them up, why shoud they care. It is true that a lot of the current problems in many countries are because of corruption and over spending by the government. But things won’t get better with the greedy unions getting everything they bully their way into. The rich pay a lot of the taxes. How much more would they have to pay in these countries if there were no rich. Unions need to be done away with. They are greedy, selfish and corrupt. I am talking about the leaders. They are a blight wherever they exist anymore.
Report Post »bullcrapbuster
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:25amTime to get set up with a ham radio system so that we the people can stay in touch and organize when the Gov tries to shut down communications.
Report Post »LeroyJethroGibbs
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:21amIf the Greeks could just make it to Mexico they could cross the border and then we’ll take care of them.
Report Post »Health care , college, housing, citizenship. It’s all here waiting for them. Greece is just a pile of rocks anyway.
Jim-in-kansas
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:59amperhaps those people who want all things provided to them should have to actually pay for them… Oh that’s right the problem with Socialism, as Prime Minister Thatcher pointed out, is that at some point you run out of other people’s money and/or the ability to indenture futures generations to support your lifestyle. The Greek people and government got themselves into this mess by thinking this that could be sustained.
Report Post »Uncle Crusty
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:56amSilly people, riots are for commies! I say let them burn the place down, then what? They’ll have NOTHING, idiots!
Report Post »hey ohms
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:44amHas anybody seen the movie Idiocracy? I thought it was stupid, but now its happening! pretty soon we’ll be spraying our ethanol crops with redbull to make them grow faster. There are alot of people out there that havent a clue. Just followers, cattle. I wonder if among the teachers on strike in this country, there are any MATH teachers? They should be the first let go. It’s gettin ugly out there. This must be Palin and becks fault!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:11amI’m tempted to laugh at the Greeks for being so infantile about austerity measures but, after watching Wisconsin, I can see a lot of Americans are no better.
Report Post »chicago76
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:07amLike the unions in GM. They won’t give up until the whole country is in bankruptcy and then they will demand control of the country in exchange for giving up some of their rights. Get ready for communism here.
Report Post »jedi.kep
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:01amUnion: We want money!
Greece: We are broke.
Union: We want money!
Greece: Didn’t you hear? We have no money!
Union: We want money!
Greece: WE DON’T HAVE ANY!
Union: Give me money!
Greece: (turns out pockets) LOOK! NO MONEY!
Union: (Picks up rock) GIVE ME MONEY!
You can imagine the rest.
Report Post »BlazingInSC
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:59amSo a complete nanny state has failed its people (as they always do), causing them to riot — someone please explain to me the liberal mindset that we need to turn the US into a nanny state? Liberalism is a disease!
Report Post »Conserving Ink
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:57amDestroying governments is hard work, they had to take a breather. Besides union workers always get a lot of time off.
Report Post »______________________________________________________
http://conserving-ink.blogspot.com/2011/02/you-have-been-adjusted.html
Bruce_Almty
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:54amThis article is about cities and states in the USA; the name was changed to protect the innocent.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:13amOh come on! This could never happen in America, right? :-)
Report Post »Pyx
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:53amAusterity measures is a policy of deficit-cutting or lowering spending.
The Greeks are protesting against a policy of deficit-cutting and lower spending.
The jokes write themselves.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:52amI’m trying to read the protest signs. Does anyone know what triangle, horseshoe, triangle, zero with a line through it, square, triangle means? It’s all Greek to me. Is Greek the Lucky Charms of languages?
Report Post »booger71
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:22amIt’s all Greek to me.
Report Post »Doctor Who
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:43amIt means – “head for the pass the Persians are coming back”.
Report Post »NickDeringer
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:50amThe fundamental belief of every labor movement is that the companies have tons of money, they’re just hiding somewhere because of greed. They‘re like teenagers who don’t understand why mom and dad, or dad and dad or mom and mom (EU), don’t buy them a new Porsche.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:58amNick ole boy, you hit the nail on the head. They‘re all like 7 year olds who’s mommy said, no more ice cream for you!
Report Post »WILLIAM E.
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:49amWow, When your broke you’re broke. Unless your union tells you different. Socialism is great until it runs out of other peoples MONEY !!
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:10amThe businesses in Greece should just shut down and go on vacation.
Report Post »sleazyhippo
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:22amWe are not (as a country) “broke,“ the country has plenty of cash and this ”broke” word is just a scary talking point that has recently become popular.
Report Post »As a clear eyed patriot I refuse to consider America “broke” – we have power and control over most of the material wealth that exists and always will.
What we need to do is pay our bills.
smithclar3nc3
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 10:40amSleazyhippo,
Report Post »WHEN YOU HAVE TO BORROW 1,650,000,000,000 THE PAY THE BILLS,YOU‘RE NOT ONLY BROKE YOU ARE IN DEBT BROKE IS 0 WE’RE LOOKING AT -14,056,000,000,000 AND GROWING BY THE MINUTE. Companies and businesses are leaving because the cost of doing business and dealing with governmental regulations is on the rise. WAKE UP
sleazyhippo
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 11:16amYou personally may be short on cash, but our country is VERY wealthy. I wish you could be more optimistic about America’s future.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 11:53amFrom the Printer in Chief
Squeeze the Hippo, We are not broke, I just printed Trillions of pieces of paper, I have a ready stash. Please forward all requests for cash to Kimberly Clark. Cash now comes on a roll
Report Post »U-R-Busted
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:46amThe “Golden Goose” has died from extreme exhaustion!!! When will all of these societal leaches learn and understand that? All of the overlie generous benefit and salary packages that the union thugs forced out of the government and employers has broken the bank. There is NO MORE MONEY!!! Get over it and go back to work.
Report Post »wampanoag
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:44amWhat is the Greek word for PARASITES!
Report Post »goatkid
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:42am@wampanoag
Report Post »That is what socialism creates…. parasites. People begin to feel as though they are entitled to everything, just because the exist. I know Americans who have lived in Europe, and for some reason think that socialism is the way to go. Personaly I think its because they are lazy, and don’t want to work for anything. They were told to go back to Europe if they don’t want to embrace capitolism. It did not go over well.
JohnQTaxpayer
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:17amπαρασιτα
Report Post »JRserious
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:59amUnion
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 11:48amMoussaka
Report Post »portague
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:43amreally there broke but they still dont want to admit it
Report Post »cnsrvtvj
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 7:52am@portague – It’s the same thing that is happening in Wisonsin. You’re right….they‘re broke but don’t want to admit it. Or they just don’t care. I have to laugh now that the Wisconsin teachers are saying they had no problem with the money part of it. Unions don’t sacrifice anything…ever.
http://www.donsmithshow.com – see the time for choosing video
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:19amThis to me completely defies logic. Do these people and the ones that are in Wisconsin, Ohio, Indiana not grasp the concept that there is no MONEY,,,,,,What good is protesting and rioting do if the well is dry.We get this why can they not understand, Unbelievable…..
Report Post »Eyore
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:22amSo are we
Report Post »Just wait till the Social Security checks stop going out
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 8:37amPeople living in denial are among the most dangerous people in the world; they will not accept the fact that their condition is grave, and radical changes are needed to save the patient and any set of the future they will hold onto.
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:03amAHHHHH socialism at its finest……… hey ABC….care to comment on this, seems your precious Germany example of unionized country that is successful doesn’t seem to really share a love for the unions like you when they are footing most of the bailout bill. They want restrictions on unions and cut backs economically on programs and public salaries. HHHMMMM seems to be contradictory about all the garbage we have been hearing from the left. As a matter a fact that sounds a little like the WI situation if I am thinking about it. Seems when someone else foots the bill restrictions and cut backs aren’t such a bad idea according to our socialistic neighbors in Germany !!!!! This is the price sovereign nations pay when they enter into these economic unions. The debtor is the slave to the lender. Socialism at its finest.
Report Post »sleazyhippo
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:18amFirst, I agree with the Blaze Editorial Staff that our domestic issues have nothing to do with Europe, except that they can be used to scare and rile. As a clear eyed patriot I refuse to consider America “broke” – we have power and control over most of the material wealth that exists and always will.
That fact is that we are not (as a country) “broke,“ the country has plenty of cash and this ”broke” word is just a scary talking point that has recently become popular. In my family, when a family member has financial issues – that do arise time to time, we all get together to help them through it (wisely – no bailouts) so they do not become a burden on their neighbors. I would like to consider my countrymen part of my extended family at this time.
I think that if some of our better off patriots, entrepreneurs and investors could join me in a one time payment of $2,000 or more to pay off the Iraq War debt incurred since 2000; everything would be a little better here, a little less harsh, and a little more optimistic.
ozchambers
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:21amrioting AGAIN? When did they stop?
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:57am@ SLEEZYHIPPO…….maybe a better name would be SLEEPYHIPPO because you are not accurate at all when you say we are not broke. You sir are a doofus. Even democratic politicians that love to spend are acknowledging the fact that are deficit right now is out of control……Just to break it down for in simple terms. When you take in less than you spend year after year guess what that leaves you? BROKE.
Report Post »watchtheotherhand
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 9:59am@ SLEEZY…..obviously you are not grounded in reality or facts. Let me know how things turn out in fantasy land. It sure sounds “perrdy” there.
Report Post »sleazyhippo
Posted on February 23, 2011 at 11:48amBTW – Have you seen the new ‘Blaze’ Polos for just $40.00 or ‘Stand in the Blaze’ Tees for $25.00? Big LIKE!
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