- Title: GREECE: Greek protest against violent unrest
- Date: 9th May 2010
- Summary: ATHENS, GREECE (MAY 8, 2010) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF BANK WHERE PEOPLE WERE KILLED VARIOUS OF CHARRED BANK BALCONY PEOPLE PAYING RESPECT TO VICTIMS/FLOWERS LAID OUTSIDE BANK PEOPLE LIGHTING CANDLES LIT CANDLES/FLOWERS LAID OUTSIDE BANK WOMAN HOLDING CANDLE AND PRAYING VARIOUS OF BANK ENTRANCE/GREEK FLAG PLACED ON DOOR
- Embargoed: 24th May 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Greece
- Country: Greece
- Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA7WGK2JIXY9JZMF1D5KN8ZW2SQ
- Story Text: Members of Greece's Eco-Green Party gather to remember the three bank workers killed in a firebomb attack in Athens and call for an end to violent protests.
Tens of Greeks gathered on Saturday (May 8) outside the bank where three workers -- were killed in a firebomb attack during protests against the government's austerity measures.
The demonstrators on Saturday, who wore white masks, were representatives of the country's 'Eco-Green' Party.
One man slowly beat a drum, whilst others silently held banners that read: "No to Violence!" and "Enough with violence, in difference and silence!"
On Wednesday (May 5) rioters opposed to financial cutbacks threw petrol bombs at a bank branch in Athens, where three people, including a pregnant woman, choked to death after excessive smoke inhalation.
Spokesman of Press Office of Eco-Greens, Nikos Chrysogelos said the answer to the government's austerity plan, which he described as "socially unjust and pointless", had to be "democratic and peaceful."
He said the Greek people had to be included in negotiations to deal with the country's debt crisis.
"The answer to the crisis and to the socially unjust and pointless government measure must be democratic and peaceful -- with the participation of the people, so that we can face all the socio-economic, fiscal and environmental problems," he said.
Athens resident, Yannis Machiavas said the use of violence in protests against Prime Minister George Papandreou's reforms was counter-productive and might intimidate ordinary citizens. "Our society is committing suicide with violence," he said.
"We want to say to the people to not shut themselves inside their houses, and that there is another solution besides violence," Machiavas added.
The austerity bill includes tax hikes, pension reforms and deep cuts in public sector bonuses.
It has been approved by a 172-majority parliament and supported by the eurozone nations and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Many Greeks say the reforms will only hurt the poor and drag the country further into recession. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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