A video published to YouTube by someone who was in the midst of the riots rocking Athens this week shows police in full body armor beating protesters with clubs as they attempt to clear a public area.
The rioting is a response to lawmakers undertaking a second major austerity vote that now appears certain to pass. The legislation clears the way for a bridge loan from the International Monetary Fund, provided the country sell off most publicly held assets and turn over its tax collections to European officials.
Greek protesters have called this plan a loss of their national sovereignty and point to decreased wages and inflating consumer prices as reason for their fury.
This video was published to YouTube on Wednesday, June 29, 2011.
