Governments Across Europe Tremble as Angry People Take to the Streets in Protest Against the Economic Crisis

January saw a wave of actions because of the capitalist credit recession (depression) and it fueled civil unrest – strikers, demonstrations, protests and rallies. In the European Union countries from Greece to Bulgaria, this economic crisis has dashed the hopes for prosperity among the workers and even in the middle class, but especially the hopes of young people. This compounded their resentment of their governments, already exposed now by their nepotism, arrogance and corruption.

France was paralyzed by strikes; the boulevards of Paris resembled a debris strewn battlefield. The Hungarian currency sank to its lowest ever against the Euro, as the unemployment figures keep on rising. Greek farmers blocked the highway into Bulgaria in protest at the lowest prices for their produce, thanks to the European Union. New financial figures from the Baltic countries’ banks show that these three former Soviet Republics face the biggest recession in all of Europe.

Exactly 20 years ago, in the counter-revolutions and their so-called “rejoicing”, these countries through their traitor-revisionist leaders overthrew Socialism and put all of their faith on Capitalism – but now, because of unbearable economic crisis in their economy, these people feel very betrayed.

The result of this has seen the biggest protests across all former socialist (and the capitalist countries also) countries since the days that the People Held Power!

The European governments are trembling!

Revolt is in the air!

	(1) Riga – Latvia: Looters pick up food and spirits in a grocery store after anti-EU protestors classed with anti-riot policed. Thousands of people massed in front of Parliament demanding the resignation of the government because of the deepening economic crisis. This was the largest rally since they declared independence. Soviet flags were also carried by the demonstrators. (2) London – England: Protestors near the Bank of England because the stock market plunged by almost 10% and because of the economic crisis and high unemployment.
	(3) Kulata – Bulgaria: A man walks past a line of transport trucks as they wait to cross the border into Greece. Bulgaria requested urgent help from the EU to help reopen the border which the Greek farmers blocked en-mass, protesting against the low food prices for their products. (4) Reykjavik – Iceland: Protestors burn an effigy of their Prime Minister, Geir Haarde, during a demonstration over the handing of the financial and economic crisis.
	(5) London – England: A grim reaper figure holds a globe pierced by the scythe of capitalism in front of the Bank of England during a protest, because the British Government announced a 35 Billion Pounds bail-out of three British Banks.
	(6) Sofia – Bulgaria: Protestors wave the national flag and shout slogans during a large anti-government protest in front of parliament in Sofia. The protestors demanded that the Bulgarian government resign because of corruption and the deepening economic and unemployment crisis.
	(7) Vilnius – Lithuania: Protestors threw stones at the riot police in one of the largest demonstrations since Lithuania declared its independence. Slogans for unity and USSR and red flags were seen.
	(8) Marseille – France: Arcellor Mittal workers demonstrate during a large protest against the economic crisis, unemployment and the policies of the present French government. (9) Colombo – Sri Lanka: Protestors combined their protests against the civil war, the economic crisis as well as against Israel and the genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

January and February In Europe Were Scenes of Massive Protests!

Listed below are just some that we are reporting on below.

Athens – Greece: A 15-year old boy was shot by the police and protests that took place were unmatched since 1970’s. People are sick of the lack of jobs, the failing educational system and they see no future in Greece for the majority of people.

Riga – Latvia: More than 10,000 people converged in the city to protest against the government and their policies regarding the economic crisis and the very high unemployment. They battled with police until late into the night. There were such protests all over Latvia. The economy shrank by over 7% and going higher each month.

Paris – France: More than a million striking workers burned cars, smashed windows and protested against President Nicolas Sarkozy. France is moving quickly into deep recession. The soaring costs of repaying the private banks loans and mortgagers in hard currency are fueling the terrible misery not of a recession – but the coming depression.

Budapest – Hungary: Hungary is very heavily indebted to WB, IMF and other Western money institutions. The industrial output in Hungary is the lowest in more than 16 years. The currency – Forint – sank so low that it was a disaster. The government ordered budget cuts, tax increases and pleading for help from the Western powers. There is austerity for the great majority of the people.

Kiev – Ukraine: The promises by President V. Yushenko dissolved into a very messy, corrupt and brutal political fighting amongst these Ukrainian nationalist leaders. The economy is falling very badly and no cure is in sight.

The national currency is less than 50% of value of six months ago. IMF is trying to save these leaders by a $16 billion rescue package. The struggle in the government is paralyzing the government and making the economy dysfunctional.

Reykjavik – Iceland: It was known and promoted as the most developed and most productive and most equal of societies in the world, but now Iceland is in the throes of a revolution.

Riot police in Reykjavik battled the protestors who built bonfires in front of the world’s oldest parliament. The IMF bailout of $11 Billions is not doing much. The national currency, the Krona, seems to be finished. Iceland is a test case of the most “successful capitalist society” suddenly failed miserably.

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