In case anyone was planning on traveling through Greece in the near future, think again. Greece is in the midst of a dramatic uprising focused against the country’s austerity program and tax increases designed to strengthen the country’s currency and keep the government out of bankruptcy.
Unfortunately, what the government is mandating is not sitting well with Greece’s population or its unions. Everyone wants the gravy train to continue and no one wants any services curtailed.
The strike has stopped public transport, government offices and state-owned industries. All flights have been grounded, and all ferry and rail services have been suspended.
The Wall Street Journal has the developing details:
Violence broke out between police and protesters in central Athens Thursday as an estimated 30,000 people gathered to demonstrate against the government’s austerity program as part of a nationwide general strike.
Riot police fired tear gas and percussion grenades after clashing with several hundred anarchists, who responded by throwing projectiles. Hooded youths representing Greece’s anarchist movement also attacked shop fronts, smashed the windows of one hotel and set alight a car just off one of the city’s main streets. Black smoke from the burning car billowed over the student district of Athens, the site of frequent violent protests.
The unrest in Greece is indeed dramatic. Anyone planning on traveling through that country should check to see what the actual situation is as things there develop over the next few days.
