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30 Injured as Greek Riots Rage On

Police see no sign of protests' end

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Dec 8, 2008 3:08 AM CST

(Newser) – More than 30 people have been injured and streets ripped apart as thousands of protesters torched buildings, smashed windows and battled Greek police in a second day of pitched rioting in downtown Athens and other cities, the Guardian reports. "I've never seen anything like this," said a store clerk. "So much of Athens is destroyed and it all happened in just a couple of hours."

Stunned government officials vowed "exemplary punishment" against police responsible for the shooting death of a teen boy, which triggered the mass protests Saturday night. The killing unleashed long-brewing resentment against the state for the nation's economic crisis and high unemployment. Anarchist groups have harnessed the discontent to fuel the riots among "a lot of disoriented young people who feel they don't have much to expect from the future," said a professor.

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

Riot police avoid fire bombs thrown by protesters outside the The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki during clashes earlier today. (AP Photo/Nikolas Giakoumidis)

A firefighter gestures in front of a burning bank during clashes earlier today. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

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Greek protesters continued battling police in a second day of rioting. (CNN Video)

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30 Injured as Greek Riots Rage On