Protesting fishermen cause riot in Brussels

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-5  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

RIOT police armed with shields and batons charged hundreds of protesting fishermen outside European Union headquarters yesterday after a demonstration over high fuel prices turned violent.

Protesters hurled flares, firecrackers and rocks at police beyond razor-wire barricades. They also fired flare guns at the EU headquarters building. As they retreated down the main boulevard through Brussels' European Union district, protesters broke into some EU buildings, smashing windows and dragging out flags and other material to light bonfires in the street.

Fishermen, truck drivers and farmers across Europe have protested in recent weeks to demand government aid to help compensate for high fuel costs, which they say are threatening their livelihoods.

During yesterday's protest, about 400 fishermen from France, Italy, Spain and Portugal besieged the EU's headquarters for several hours before the violence broke out. Police blocked off the neighborhood, causing widespread traffic disruption.

At least two cars were overturned. Hooded protesters pulled up paving stones apparently to use as weapons against police, who were backed by two helicopters.