Greek police fired tear gas to dispurse demonstrators in Athens Wednesday, as some 60,000 people marched to parliament to protest austerity measures.<br/> <br />Minor clashes broke out between youths hurling rocks and petrol bombs and riot police, who responded with teargas, leaving one person injured.<br/> <br />Wednesday's protest was part of a day-long nationwide strike that brought much of Greece to a standstill.<br/> <br />Ferries and schools were shut down. Hospitals were left with only emergency staff.<br/> <br />Protestors are angry with government policies they say only deepens their hardship.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE)(Greek) TEACHER CONSTANTINA KAPOURA SAYING:<br/> <br />"The money is not enough to make ends meet. I don't know what else people can do but protest. Living standards have been reduced to the point that we cannot survive."<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Greek) CIVIL SERVANT WHO WORKS FOR THE MUNICIPALITY, SPIROS FILIOTIS, SAYING:<br/> <br />"As long as we fight, there is still hope for the future. This is a message for change to these policies. It is a message we hope to pass to everyone, because if we don't resist, there is no future."<br/> <br />Greece has been riddled with protests and strikes since the government announced an austerity program in 2010, sometimes leading to deadly violence.
