Tens of thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Spain and
Greece this week in response to ongoing budget cuts and high
unemployment. In Spain, unemployment has passed the five million mark for
the first time since records began—attracting widespread criticism over
the conservative government's austerity plans. Similarly, Greece, which
has served as a laboratory for austerity enthusiasts, has suffered mass
poverty, unemployment and suicide since severe budget cuts were
implemented by the government.
"Poverty, unemployment, suicides. Enough is enough," was the slogan
chanted on Syntagma square by some 1,500 Greek demonstrators
non-affiliated with political parties who were mobilized through social
media. The demonstration ended when police shot tear gas at protesters—a police tactic also used during the anti-austerity demonstrations in Athens when the debt cries began in late 2009.
Kilkenny, The Nation, Common Dreams
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