国际英语新闻：Greek protesters denounce austerity measures with music concert

ATHENS, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Greek protesters gathered in the center of Athens on Tuesday evening to denounce austerity measures and reforms in their favorite way, singing and dancing.

Thousands of citizens attended a concert organized by labor union PAME which is linked with the Greek Communist Party (KKE) in front of the parliament, while inside of the building a debate was under way on the pension system reform bill.

The bill which is scheduled to be ratified by the parliament on July 8 is promoted by the government in the framework of policies introduced to overcome the economic crisis that has hit Greece hard this year.

Greek demonstrators hold a concert to protest against the austerity measures and pension system reform at Syntagma Square in the center of Athens, Greece, on July 6, 2010. The Greek parliament on Tuesday held a debate regarding to the draft bill on the reform of the pension system.

Cutbacks on salaries and wages, tax hikes and the increase of minimum retirement age to 65 years have met strong reaction by Greeks of all ages. Protesters at Syntagma square repeated that people agree that something must be done to get out of the crisis, but they do not agree to make more sacrifices,"while the ones who created the crisis do not pay".

Raising flags of PAME, protesters chanted slogans such as " People rise up against the memorandum with European Union and International Monetary Fund" and "They declared war, we will fight back", as popular Greek singers performed traditional Greek music and rock.