Last week, as many as 800 Greek farmers gathered outside the Agriculture Ministry to express their distaste at the government's plan to cut farmer pension and to raise their taxes. The cut to pensions would actually be the 11th such cut imposed since 2010.
In a two-day rally, farmers wielding shepherd’s staffs threw stones and vegetables at the Agriculture Ministry and set dumpsters on fire. Police responded with tear gas in an attempt to disperse the irate farmers. Other clashes took place on the highways leading into Athens. Farmers have been blockading the highways into Athens with tractors for more than two weeks.
As reported by the Associated Press, as many as 800 farmers from Crete arrived by overnight ferry and joined the protest. A law-enforcement official said the farmers “attempted to push the police in front of the Ministry’s entrance. The police used tear gas to stop them.” Windows were smashed in the Agriculture Ministry before the police intervened.
The police even had to retreat at one point when farmers, wielding staffs, threatened them with the pieces of wood. The farmers also allegedly threatened to spray the police with pesticide used for olive trees, according to police reports. At least four farmers were detained.
The cuts are part of an agreement by the Greek government with international creditors to secure a third round of bailout money. After months of negotiations, Greece was promised another bailout, but only after agreeing to put additional austerity measures into effect.
Source: munchies.vice.com