Thousands Demonstrate in Greece

Thousands of Greek workers demonstrated in front of the Greek Parliament to protest the European Union-dictated brutal austerity measures. The demonstrations followed a three-hour strike by the ADEDY civil service union, which brought mass transportation, airports, and ferries to a standstill, and closed down government offices.

On the same day, the Greek Parliament approved budget cuts that included increasing consumer taxes and cutting public sector workers' pay by up to 8%.

In separate statements, the Greek General Confederation of Labor (GSEE) and the ADEDY said the measures are "anti-popular" and "barbaric," and announced that both organizations will be calling a general strike for March 11. The same unions held a general strike on Feb. 24. Demonstration and rallies were also held in Thessaloniki and other cities.

Television footage showed two men throwing a cup of coffee and water at GSEE leader Yiannis Panagopoulos, as he addressed protesters outside Parliament, before a third man walked up and punched him. According to Reuters, protesters, angered by the attacks, threw objects at riot police guarding the Parliament, and the police fired tear gas in return.