Protests opposing the latest austerity policy by the Greece government held by hundreds of laborers turned out violent this Thursday and forced the police to turn equally violent to curb the mob. The police found it necessary to respond to the violent mob before the situation went beyond control.

Beginning with the announcement made by the Greece government early last week, stating a policy to decrease costs and increase taxes; provoked the two major unions, the public sector - ADEDY and the private sector - GSEE, to call for a strike. According to the ADEDY website information, "The current policies are bankrupting the lives of salaried workers and pensioners."

The country was affected by this sudden call for strike as flights were abruptly brought to a halt; ferry services and rail facility too were stopped. It also had an impact on government offices and many companies owned by the state.

Simultaneously, there were other strikes and protests being held; a peace protest close the main square of the city was held by a section of people, with the fire and police officers keeping law and order situation in control. The communists too held a protest and were backed by the PAME group, all in view to challenge the Greece government and to remind them about all the promises made before the elections, which were yet to be fulfilled.

Many expressed anger over the policy that would increase tax rates, freeze pensions and include other cuts in perks.