Greek Police and Firemen Stage “Funeral-Like” Protest March
Created: 2011-10-18 08:50 EST
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Greek police officers, firefighters and coast guards marched on Monday through the streets of the capital stopping in front of parliament and the offices of the European Union representative in Athens.
They were staging a demonstration with a difference.
Outside EU offices, protesters rang a life-size church bell hoisted on a moving crane, symbolizing the "death" toll of workers' wages.
Pavement railings were draped with black fabric to symbolize mourning.
Outside parliament they lit candles and held a vigil.
The country's emergency services employees came from all over the country to participate in the Athens protest against mounting austerity measures.
These are part of the government's efforts to slash deficits and secure continued international funding.
Police and fire brigade leaders said cutbacks were adversely affecting the services they were meant to provide.
The protest is part of a growing wave of anti-austerity protests and strikes as Greece braces for a 48-hour general strike later this week.
The strike is timed to coincide with a vote on a deeply unpopular package of austerity measures on Thursday demanded by international lenders.
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