Thousands across Greece protest austerity measures

rt.com

Youths have clashed with the Athens police force, pelting officers with stones and petrol bombs during an anti-austerity march. More than 40,000 have taken to the streets in Greece in a 24-hour strike against wage and pension cuts. Anti-austerity activists faced down police officers, throwing Molotov cocktails and rocks in the center of Athens. Police responded by firing teargas and stun grenades into the group of adolescents to disperse them. Clashes erupted as protesters broke through a police line on central Syntagma Square. After the crowd was dispersed, the demonstration resumed peacefully. One person died during the protests. A 66-year-old man died, apparently of a heart attack, as he was taking part in the demonstration in Athens. Authorities have deployed 4,000 extra police throughout the Greek capital to maintain law and order during the protests.