Cape Times: Three die in bank as Greek protest erupts in violence

 

 

pregnant woman among dead

Three die in bank as Greek protest erupts in violence

May 06, 2010 Edition 2

Lefteris Papadimas and Renee Maltezou Reuters

ATHENS: Two women, one of them pregnant, and a man died choking on smoke when Greeks protesting against government austerity measures threw petrol bombs into a bank here yesterday.

Tens of thousands of striking workers and civil servants took to the streets of the city centre here while masked youths clashed with police in riot gear, who responded with tear gas and flash bombs.

Police said the three Marfin bank employees, aged between 30 and 40 years, died after protesters broke the windows of the building and tossed in Molotov cocktails. Outside the bank, firemen restrained a distraught elderly woman, who wept "My child, my child".

Prime Minister George Papandreou expressed shock at the deaths and vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

"We are deeply shocked by the unjust death of these three people, our fellow citizens," he told parliament.

Hundreds of black-hooded anarchists roamed the streets, smashing store windows and hacking chunks of marble off buildings to throw at police. Although they were behind the worst of the violence, other protesters joined them in pelting police with bottles.

The violence was the worst to have hit Greece since riots in 2008 and a blow to Papandreou's plans to push through tough budget cuts demanded by the EU and International Monetary Fund in exchange for a e110 billion aid package

I believe in protesting. I believe in standing up for what is right. I believe in doing what ever is necessary to gain your governments attention except when it cost the lives of innocent people. These protesters were in the wrong when these people had died. Their actions has cost innocent lives. They are suppose to  go against the ones who are in control, not the innocent. I can not support the people of Greece if those who are not involved get hurt and they hurt the ones who have no say over what happens.

Cape Times: Three die in bank as Greek protest erupts in violence