Anti-austerity protesters throw petrol bombs at police in Athens

Police clashed with protesters hurling petrol bombs and bottles in central Athens yesterday after an anti-government rally called as part of a general strike in Greece turned violent.

Riot police used tear gas and pepper spray against several hundred demonstrators after the violence broke out near parliament. Protesters also set fire to trees in the National Gardens and smashed paving stones and marble panels to use as missiles against the riot police.

About 50,000 people joined the union-organised march in central Athens, held during a general strike against fresh austerity measures. The action, the first major walk-out since a coalition government was formed in June, closed schools and disrupted flights and services.

Everyone from shopkeepers and pharmacists to teachers, customs workers and mechanics joined the protest, seen as a test of public tolerance for more hardship after two years of spending cuts and tax increases.

“People, fight, they’re drinking your blood,” protesters chanted as they banged drums.