Greek police fired tear gas to dispurse demonstrators in Athens Wednesday, as some 60,000 people marched to parliament to protest austerity measures.

Minor clashes broke out between youths hurling rocks and petrol bombs and riot police, who responded with teargas, leaving one person injured.

Wednesday's protest was part of a day-long nationwide strike that brought much of Greece to a standstill.

Ferries and schools were shut down. Hospitals were left with only emergency staff.

Protestors are angry with government policies they say only deepens their hardship.

(SOUNDBITE)(Greek) TEACHER CONSTANTINA KAPOURA SAYING:

"The money is not enough to make ends meet. I don't know what else people can do but protest. Living standards have been reduced to the point that we cannot survive."

(SOUNDBITE) (Greek) CIVIL SERVANT WHO WORKS FOR THE MUNICIPALITY, SPIROS FILIOTIS, SAYING:

"As long as we fight, there is still hope for the future. This is a message for change to these policies. It is a message we hope to pass to everyone, because if we don't resist, there is no future."

Greece has been riddled with protests and strikes since the government announced an austerity program in 2010, sometimes leading to deadly violence.