Greek protesters unveil banner on ancient Acropolis - Update

Athens - The ancient Acropolis became the latest stage for the country's financial crisis on Tuesday when protesters draped it with a huge banner calling for the "people of Europe" to "rise up" against austerity measures by the Greek government.

The most recent in a series of protests in Greece came just days after the cash-strapped government unveiled a series of budget cuts in exchange for a 110-billion-euro (145-billion-dollar) bailout package by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

EU leaders agreed on Sunday to activate the three-year rescue program.

The new measures, in exchange for the bailout, will consist of deeper cuts in pensions and public servants' pay as well as a hike in consumer taxes.

Approximately 200 protesters from Greece's communist union cut through the locks in the gates of the ancient site and unfurled the large banner from the stone walls of the ancient hilltop citadel, Greece's most famous ancient monument, which looms over Athens.

The banner reads "Peoples of Europe Rise Up," in Greek and English.

Public servants, including teachers and doctors, launched a 48- hour strike on Tuesday, with marches planned later in the day.

Hundreds of flights are expected to be disrupted Tuesday after the country's civil aviation authority said it would only allow airlines to carry out one flight per destination.

Greek airspace is also to be completely closed to international flights on Wednesday, stranding thousands of travellers.

Clashes broke out in front of the Education Ministry early Tuesday after teachers attempted to break through a police barricade and occupy the building in central Athens.

On Wednesday, a 24-hour strike called by the private sector is due to shut down all services, including shops, across the country. Public transport will also grind to a halt.

Union leaders say the austerity measures are unfair because they target low-income Greeks.

Late Monday, protesting school teachers forced their way into Greece's state television building, disrupting programming.

Many Greek teachers work for years on part-time salaries as low as 450 euros a month, with no benefits, the teachers' union said.

Greece's Socialist government rushed to push a fresh round of spending cuts through parliament on Monday in accordance with the terms of the bailout, despite the public backlash.

Running a debt of more than 300 billion euros and a budget deficit of 13.6 of GDP, Greece is in urgent need of funds before May 19 in order to refinance a 9 billion euro 10-year bond.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/321881,greek-protesters-unveil-banner-on-ancient-acropolis--update.html.