Christmas shoppers flee amid clashes in Athens

Anti-government rioters try to burn down Greek capital's main holiday tree

ATHENS, Greece - Riot police clashed with rock-throwing demonstrators in central Athens on Thursday, sending Christmas shoppers and people in cafes running for cover. Frightened parents scooped up their children from a Christmas carousel in the city's main square and fled. The protesters broke away from a peaceful rally and hurled rocks and firebombs at police and buildings near parliament, overturned a car and set fire to trash bins. They also splashed police with red paint. Police responded with tear gas. Firefighters and police also stopped an effort Thursday to burn down the city's main Christmas tree, which was replaced this week after being torched in riots.

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Greek police and marchers clash as strike bites

Riot police clashed with Greek youths for a fifth consecutive day today as demonstrators marched on parliament to protest over the fatal shooting of a schoolboy by police.The march coincided with a nationwide strike that has brought the country to a halt, with flights grounded, banks and schools closed and hospital services restricted.

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Amnesty International has called for the Greek authorities to end the "unlawful and disproportionate use of force by police".

"Images in the international media and eyewitness statements to Amnesty International present mounting evidence of police beating and ill-treating peaceful demonstrators," said Nicola Duckworth, the group's Europe and Central Asia programme director.

The worst civil disturbances to hit Greece in decades, the riots have dealt another blow to the already badly dented popularity of the ruling conservatives. They have also left a trail of devastation.

Reuters:Greeks Riot for 3rd day amid Anti-Government Furor

By Daniel Flynn and Dina Kyriakidou - ATHENS (Reuters) - Hundreds of protesters clashed with police for a third day in several Greek cities in riots fueled by growing economic hardship and triggered by the shooting of a teenager on Saturday...



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