Greek unions on Wednesday launched a two-day general strike — described by officials as the largest since the country's debt crisis broke — in an all-out effort to block a new austerity bill that parliament must pass this week to forestall a state bankruptcy. Here a woman shouts for peace as she stands before a line of riot police during massive clashes in front of the Greek parliament on Oct. 19, 2011. (All photos from AFP/Getty Images.)
- [Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images]

Over 52,000 people converged on central Syntagma Square, where parliament is located, in separate protests organized by unions. This picture shows the demonstration in front of the Greek parliament in Athens on Oct. 19, 2011, as a two-day general strike began against a new austerity bill demanded by Greece's international creditors to avert bankruptcy.
- [Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images]

Riot police clash with demonstrators during a protest outside the Greek parliament in Athens on Oct. 19, 2011. Violence marred huge demonstrations in Greece as unions launched a two-day general strike ahead of a vote on a new bill tightening the financial screws in a bid to stave off bankruptcy.
- [Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP/Getty Images]

Demonstrators clash with riot police in front of the Greek parliament on Oct. 19, 2011. Violence marred huge demonstrations in Greece as unions launched a two-day general strike ahead of a vote on a new bill tightening the financial screws in a bid to stave off bankruptcy.
- [Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP/Getty Images]

Police in the capital clash with protesters outside parliament as crowds converged on central Syntagma Square on Oct. 19, 2011. Officers were also attacked in the second city of Thessaloniki where the government's regional headquarters was assaulted by a group of 100 protesters throwing firebombs.
- [Sakis Mitrolidis/AFP/Getty Images]

Greek unions on Wednesday launched a two-day general strike that turned violent when protesters and police, shown here, brawled in front of the Greek parliament on Oct. 19, 2011.
- [Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images]

The protests turned violent early as protesters fight with riot police during massive clashes in front of the Greek parliament on Oct. 19, 2011.
- [Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images]

Riot police run next to piles of garbage in Thessaloniki on Oct. 19, 2011, as a two-day general strike began against a new austerity bill demanded by Greece's international creditors to avert bankruptcy.
- [Sakis Mitrolidis/AFP/Getty Images]

Protesters clash with riot police during massive clashes in front of the Greek parliament on Oct. 19, 2011. Greek unions on Wednesday launched a two-day general strike in an all-out effort to block a new austerity bill that parliament must pass this week to forestall a state bankruptcy.
- [Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP/Getty Images]