Large protests in Greece after the plan for cuts was approved

5 July 2011

Photograph of Petros Karadjias / AP

The photo. Greek parliamentarians approved controversial austerity measures in the midst of violent protests. More than 100 people were injured in the riots.

Investors applauded the measures - which aim to cut spending, raise taxes by 28,000 million euros (40,000 million dollars) and raise 50,000 billion euros (71,000 million dollars) in privatizations over the next five years - but In Athens, the mood was bleak.

Amid a cloud of tear gas, protesters threw everything they could find against riot police and tried to block the Parliament building.

Demonstrators and riot police clash during anti-austerity protests in Athens, June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament has approved unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

An injured demonstrator is taken to safety during clashes with riot police in front of the parliament in Athens June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament looked increasingly likely to approve a unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

Demonstrators react to stun grenades front of parliament during anti-austerity protests in Athens, June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament has approved unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

Protesters try to avoid tear gas during violent protests in Athens' Syntagma square, June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament has approved unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

Riot policemen arrest protester during clashes in central Athens Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Greek deputies are to vote Wednesday on a deeply unpopular austerity bill that has provoked days of rioting in the streets of Athens, with the result of the vote determining is Greece can avoid a potentially disastrous financial default in the coming weeks. AP [Policeman has a portable tear gas dispenser on his back.]

A protester sprays riot police with a fire extinguisher during violent protests in Athens' Syntagma square, June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament has approved unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

Protesters attack police during violent protests in Athens' Syntagma square, June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament has approved unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

A protester runs to escape from riot police during clashes at Syntagma square, central Athens, Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Greece approved more austerity measures needed to avert default next month, in a vote Wednesday that calmed markets but triggered a second day of riots That left dozens injured and the capital blanketed with tear gas. (Petros Giannakouris)

A bleeding protester sits detained between policemen during violent protests in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square, June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament has approved unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default . Reuters

A riot policeman kicks a protesting drummer, during clashes in Syntagma Square in central Athens Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Greek deputies are to vote Wednesday on a deeply unpopular austerity bill that has provoked days of rioting in the streets of Athens, with the result of the vote determining is Greece can avoid a disastrous financial default in the coming weeks. AP

A riot policeman clashes with a demonstrator during a protest in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square, June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament has approved unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default . Reuters

Riot police detain a demonstrator during a protest in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square, June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament has approved unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

Demonstrators are sorrounded by police during a protest in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square, June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament has approved unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

Demonstrators throw objects against riot police during a protest in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square, June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament has approved unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

Protesters 'first aid hold a flag with the red cross as a police officer looks on at clashes at Athens' main Syntagma square, Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Greece's lawmakers approved a key austerity bill Wednesday needed to avert default next month, despite a second day of rioting on the streets of Athens that left dozens of police and protesters injured. (Thanassis Stavrakis)

Protesters clash with riot police in Syntagma square in central Athens, Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Greece's lawmakers approved a key austerity bill Wednesday needed to avert default next month, despite a second day of rioting on the streets of Athens that left dozens of police and protesters injured. (Petros Karadjias)

A protester reacts after his arrest during clashes at the main Syntagma square, in Athens, Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Greece's lawmakers approved a key austerity bill Wednesday needed to avert default next month, despite a second day of rioting on the streets of Athens that left dozens of police and protesters injured. (Thanassis Stavrakis)

Riot police clashes with protesters in Syntagma square, central Athens, Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Greece's lawmakers approved a key austerity bill Wednesday needed to avert default next month, despite a second day of rioting on the streets of Athens that left dozens of police and protesters injured. (Petros Karadjias)

A protester throws a chair into a burning barricade at Syntagma square during a demonstration in front of the Greek Parliament in central Athens, Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Greece's lawmakers approved a key austerity bill Wednesday needed to avert default next month, despite a second day of rioting on the streets of Athens that left dozens of police and protesters injured. (Dimitri Messinis)

Demonstrators throw objects against riot police during a protest outside the parliament in Athens June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament looked increasingly likely to approve a unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

A demonstrator runs as he is chased by riot police during a protest in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square, June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament has approved unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

A riot police officer throws a stone at protesters during clashes in central Athens Wednesday, June 29, 2011.Greek deputies are to vote Wednesday on a deeply unpopular austerity bill that has provoked days of rioting in the streets of Athens, with the result of the vote determining is Greece can avoid a potentially disastrous financial default in the coming weeks. (Petros Giannakouris)

Protesters clash with riot infront of the Greek Parliament in central Athens Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Greek deputies are to vote Wednesday on a deeply unpopular austerity bill that has been provoked days of rioting in the streets of Athens, with the result of the vote is Greece can avoid a disastrous financial default in the coming weeks. (Petros Giannakouris)

Protesters throw stones at police at Syntagma square in front of the Greek Parliament in central Athens on Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Greek deputies are to vote Wednesday on a deeply unpopular austerity bill that has provoked days of rioting in the streets of Athens, with the result of the vote, if the country can avoid a sudden disastrous default in the coming weeks. (Kostas Tsironis)

Riot police scuffle with a demonstrator during a protest outside the parliament in Athens June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament looked increasingly likely to approve a unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

Teargas swirls in the air during a protest at Syntagma Square in Athens June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament looked increasingly likely to approve a unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

A demonstrator stands near a barricade during a protest in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square, June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament looked increasingly likely to approve a unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

Protesters run among tear gas thrown by riot police during clashes in central Athens Wednesday, June 29, 2011.Greek deputies are to vote Wednesday on a deeply unpopular austerity bill that has provoked days of rioting in the streets of Athens, with the result of the vote determining is Greece can avoid a potentially disastrous financial default in the coming weeks. (Petros Giannakouris)

Demonstrators handle a tree as a crowd moves into Syntagma Square during a protest in Athens, June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament looked increasingly likely to approve a unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default Reuters

A riot policeman kicks back to smoke grenade canister during a protest outside the parliament in Athens June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament looked increasingly likely to approve a unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default Reuters

A protester uses a fire extinguisher against police at Syntagma Square in front of the Greek Parliament in central Athens, Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Greek deputies are to vote Wednesday on a deeply unpopular austerity bill that has provoked days of rioting in the streets of Athens, with the result of the vote, if the country can avoid a sudden disastrous default in the coming weeks. (Petros Karadjias)

People run away from tear gas during a protest at Syntagama square in Athens June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament looked for more likely to approve a unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

Cobblestones, thrown by demonstrators [and police tear gas canisters], litter the street during a protest in Athens' Syntagma (Constitution) square, June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament looked increasingly likely to approve unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

Strikers clash with riot police during a demonstration in central Athens Tuesday June 29, 2010. Greek labor unions held nationwide 24-hour general strike to protest overhaul of social security, labor law. The reforms are part of the government's efforts to pull Greece out of its financial crisis. (Alkis Konstantinidis)

A wounded protester is being led away from clashes with riot police as protesters tried to prevent deputies from reaching the Greek parliament in central Athens on Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Greek deputies are to vote Wednesday on a deeply unpopular austerity bill that has provoked days of rioting in the streets of Athens, with the result of the vote, if the country can avoid a sudden disastrous default in the coming weeks. (Thanassis Stavrakis)

Riot police officer help injured colleague, during clashes at a union protest in Athens on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. Some 16,000 people took part in two separate demonstrations, the second of which turned violent as stone-throwing youths fought with riot police. Public services shut down across Greece Tuesday as workers walked off the job in a new nationwide general strike that disrupted public transport, left hospitals operating on emergency staff and pulled all news broadcasts off the air.

Demonstrators embrace after being overcome by tear gases during a protest in front of the parliament in Athens June 29, 2011. Greece's parliament looked increasingly likely to approve a unpopular austerity measures on Wednesday, despite violent protests, to secure international funds to prevent the euro zone's first sovereign default. Reuters

Riot policemen detain a suspected rioter during clashes at a union protest in Athens on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. Some 16,000 people took part in two separate demonstrations, the second of which turned violent as stone-throwing youths fought with riot police. Public services shut down across Greece Tuesday as workers walked off the job in a new nationwide general strike that disrupted public transport, left hospitals operating on emergency staff and pulled all news broadcasts off the air.

Riot police chase away protesters trying to prevent deputies from reaching the Greek parliament in central Athens on Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Greek deputies are to vote later Wednesday on a deeply unpopular austerity bill that has provoked days of rioting in the streets of Athens, with the result of the vote, if the country can avoid a sudden disastrous default in the coming weeks. The banner reads "We must overturn their policies now". (Kostas Tsironis)

Protesters try to raise the aluminum shutters of a National Bank of Greece branch at Syntagma Square in front of the Greek Parliament in central Athens, Wednesday, June 29, 2011. Greek deputies are to vote Wednesday on a deeply unpopular austerity bill that has provoked days of rioting in the streets of Athens, with the result of the vote, if the country can avoid a sudden disastrous default in the coming weeks. (Kostas Tsironis)

Strikers chant slogans during a protest in central Athens, on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. Public services shut down across Greece Tuesday as workers walked off the job in a new nationwide general strike that disrupted public transport, left hospitals operating on emergency staff and pulled all news broadcasts off the air. (Alkis Konstantinidis)

Strikers take part in a protest in central Athens, as at the background is seen at the Hardrian Arch on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. Public services shut down across Greece Tuesday as workers walked off the job in a new nationwide general strike that disrupted public transport , left hospitals operating on emergency staff and pulled all news broadcasts off the air. (Alkis Konstantinidis)

A news stand owner takes cover behind his stand and riot police shield themselves as demonstrators, unseen at left, throw stones during clashes at a union protest in Athens on Tuesday, June 29, 2010. Some 16,000 people took part in two separate demonstrations, the second of which turned violent as stone-throwing youths fought with riot police. Public services shut down across Greece Tuesday as workers walked off the job in a new national general strike that disrupted public transport.

Protesters shout slogans as they picket the Embassy of Greece in the financial district of Makati, southeast of Manila, Philippines Wednesday June 29, 2011 to coincide with the protest in Athens against the unpopular austerity bill to be in the Greek Parliament. The austerity measure drew violent protests that left at least 46 people injured, mostly policemen. (Bullit Marquez)