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Victoria Mindova 

Clashes, stones and blood once again gripped the Greek capital on the second day of the national strike by Greek trade unions, opposing the government policy of financial cuts. This time, the clashes were between anarchists and communist youth. The weapons they used against each other were pieces of marble broken off the facades of hotels Grande Bretagne and St. George, as well as the curbs on Syntagma Square.

Each social group’s flagbearers also took part in the battle. Armed with helmets to protect their heads, masks, so as not to inhale tear gas, and goggles to avoid stinging eyes, the enraged crowd advanced to the attack.

Cries from the communist trade unions were heard through the megaphones: "Do not fall victim to provocations. Do not give up. Stay on the square!" At the same time, the two opposing camps were firing a hurricane of stones, light bombs and smoke bombs. The anarchists divided into groups and cut into the blockade of the square by the communists, who were in defensive position.

Yesterday, the Greek Communist Party announced that today it would occupy the area around the parliament to allow the Greeks, dissatisfied with the present government to express their peaceful protest. Linking arms, they had blocked all main roads and would not allow anyone to pass. They searched the bags of youths who seemed suspicious to them for Molotov bottles and pieces of pavement. Ordinary strikers began to complain about the measures of the communist trade unions: "What is going on, are you doing the police job?" they asked. "You are keeping the government that is trying to ruin us, anyway!"

After the police had left anarchists and communists at war with each other, they joined in the well-known game and started the rangers and thieves chase known even to children, but with tear gas and sticks.

The late involvement of the riot police forces cost a lot to ordinary protesters. GRReporter saw how a flying stone hit an old man. The wound on his head was above the right ear. People in the crowd tried to help him and brought him to the nearest hospital in the area. According to the latest information, the old man wounded in the protests is in Evangelismos hospital in critical condition. Dozens of other people with minor injuries also are waiting for medical help in Evangelismos.