Massive Labor Strikes And Protests Across Europe Over Austerity

European Workers Stage Austerity Protests -- BBC

Workers across the European Union are staging a series of protests and strikes against rising unemployment and austerity measures.

General strikes in Spain and Portugal have halted transport, businesses and schools. Police and protesters have clashed in Madrid.

Rallies have taken place in 23 countries including Greece, France and Belgium, union officials told the BBC.

Hundreds of flights to and from striking nations have been cancelled.

Airlines are recommending that passengers check schedules before setting out to airports.

British Airways and Easyjet were among the UK carriers forced to cancel some of their services.

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More News On Today's Protests In Europe

At the scene: Correspondents on EU austerity protests -- BBC
Europe Faces a Multi-National General Strike Against Austerity -- Time
Workers in Southern Europe Synchronize Anti-Austerity Strikes -- New York Times
In Europe, Angry Workers Protest Austerity -- Voice of America
‘Enough is enough!’ Anti-austerity strikes sweep Europe -- Financial post/Reuters
Anti-austerity strikes sweep southern Europe -- Reuters
Austerity protests stall several European nations -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Europe Protests Austerity With Strikes in Spain, Italy -- Bloomberg Businessweek
European Governments Resolute in Face of Anti-Austerity Protests -- Voice of America
European strikes: who is protesting and why? -- The Guardian

Labor Strikes And Work Stoppages Engulf Europe

Union Protests Put Pressure On E.U. Leaders -- Time Magazine

Under a gray sky that seemed perpetually on the brink of a downpour, the crowd offered a colorful counterpoint to the climate in their fluorescent greens, yellows and oranges. The unions who had organized Wednesday's show of force — claiming to be 100,000-strong — had come from all corners of Europe to protest in Brussels against the savage austerity measures that their governments have been imposing in recent months.

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More News On Europe's Financial Crisis/Labor Unrest

Europe's austerity anger grows -- The Telegraph
Stocks slip as European protests worsen debt fears -- AP
Europe hit by wave of anti-austerity protests -- The Guardian
Wave of strikes cripples Europe as workers vent fury at budget cuts -- The Independent
Striking workers march in Europe -- L.A. Times
Real Time Brussels -- Wall Street Journal
Protests Held Across Europe -- NPR
Tens of thousands demonstrate in Europe over spending cuts -- CNN
EU unveils deficit sanctions as unions protest -- Sydney Morning Herald
Anti-austerity strikes roil Europe, but many see cutbacks as inevitable -- Christian Science Monitor
Explainer: Why Europe is protesting -- CNN
Why Europe is protesting -- Al Jazeera
Analysis: Austerity protests may curb euro zone reform -- Reuters

Riots Across Europe Fuelled By Economic Crisis

Workers of ArcelorMittal hold Bengal fires during the annual May Day demonstration in Marseille, France Photo: EPA

From The Telegraph:

Tension over the global economic slump have fuelled May Day protests and riots across Europe with trouble breaking out in Germany, Greece, Austria, Turkey and France.

Police in Berlin arrested 57 people while around 50 officers were hurt as young demonstrators threw bottles and rocks and set fire to cars and rubbish bins. There were also clashes in Hamburg, where anti-capitalist protesters attacked a bank.

In Turkey, masked protesters threw stones and petrol bombs at police, smashing banks and supermarket windows in its biggest city, Istanbul. Security forces fired tear gas and water cannon at hundreds of rioters and more than a hundred were arrested with dozens more hurt. There were also scattered skirmishes with police in the capital, Ankara, where 150,000 people marched.

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More News On Riots In Europe

May Day turns violent in Turkey, Germany, Greece -- Reuters
May Day protesters clash with police in Turkey, Greece and Germany -- The Guardian
Police Clash with May Day Protesters in Several European Nations -- Voice Of America
Police battle May Day protesters -- BBC
Financial crisis fuels May Day protests -- RTE