Twenty thousand protest in Prague about workers’ rights

Around 20,000 people gathered on Prague’s Hradčanské náměstí on Saturday to protest about the negative effects that the financial crisis is having on Europe’s workers. According to trade unions, who organized the demonstration, the figure was possibly closer to 30,000 and attendance was higher than could have been expected. The Prague demonstration is part of a several day long wider European programme to raise awareness about the curtailment of workers’ rights being brought about during the current economic downturn. Organisers said that protesters had come from as far away as Germany, Poland and France on Saturday. Related demonstrations took place in Madrid on Thursday and Brussels on Friday.