A farmer hits a riot policeman with his crook at the main port of Piraeus, near Athens, on Monday. Riot police fired tear gas at farmers from the island of Crete. At least five persons were injured. - AP
ATHENS, Greece (AP):
Riot police fired tear gas at farmers yesterday to prevent them from driving their tractors to the Greek capital as part of a protest demanding government financial help.
At least five persons, including an opposition socialist PASOK party deputy, were hurt in the scuffles at the port of Piraeus outside Athens.
Greek farmers have been protesting for two weeks over low prices for their products, using tractors to block border crossings and highways across the country for days to demand financial help from the government.
About 1,000 farmers, local mayors and members of parliament arrived in Piraeus on overnight ferries from the island of Crete with dozens of tractors, pickup trucks and other agricultural vehicles they intended to drive through Athens to the Agriculture Ministry.
Authorities said they would only be allowed to carry out a demonstration on foot.
"I am awaiting the farmers at the ministry. We consider the ministry to be the home of all farmers and our door is always open," said Deputy Agriculture Minister Michalis Papadopoulos.
A group of farmers, black flags fluttering from their tractors, attempted to break through the police lines inside the port, and riot police fired tear gas to push them back.