Firefighters Clash With Riot Police In Spain During Austerity Protest (PHOTOS)
In an odd turn of events, firefighters were the ones starting the fires at the latest austerity protest in Spain.
Spanish firefighters clashed with riot police in Barcelona Wednesday as they protested against spending cuts in Catalonia, the economically powerful northeastern region of the country.
Hundreds of public employees, sporting yellow helmets and red jackets, gathered in front of Catalonia's parliament building. Some ignited flares, threw smoke bombs and burned makeshift coffins labeled "public services."
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Riot police charge at firefighters during a protest against austerity measures in front of the Catalonia Parliament in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. (AP Photo/Paco Serinelli)
Labor unions that represent the firefighters warned in a statement that the proposed reductions in staff and spending put the "safety of workers and the people of Catalonia" at risk, according to Agence France-Presse.
The fiery protest is one of many to hit the streets of Spain in recent months as the European country has struggled to overcome its severe budget deficit. In February, dozens were arrested after scuffles between protesters and police broke out during a mass demonstration in Madrid, Reuters reported at the time.
According to the Associated Press, the European Union eased its tough stance on austerity Wednesday when it granted several member states, including Spain, more time to get their budget defects under control. However, the countries must now turn their focus to their labor markets and implement reforms to bolster national economies, the European Commission said.
See more photos of the fracas between firefighters and police in the gallery below.
Riot police charge at firefighters during a protest against austerity measures in front of the Catalan Parliament in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. The European Union moved away from its focus on tough austerity Wednesday when it gave France, Spain and four other member states more time to bring their budget deficits under control to support their economies. (AP Photo/Paco Serinelli)
Firefighters (L) stand around a bonfire during a demonstration against the government's spending cuts in social services in front of the headquarters of the Catalan Parliament on May 29, 2013 in Barcelona. (LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)
Firefighters burn a mock coffin bearing the words "RIP Public Services," during a protest against austerity measures in front of the Catalan Parliament in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, May 29, 2013. The European Union moved away from its focus on tough austerity Wednesday when it gave France, Spain and four other member states more time to bring their budget deficits under control to support their economies. (AP Photo/Paco Serinelli)
A firefighter (R) attempts to stop a policeman (L) from extinguishing a bonfire lit by firefighters during a demonstration against the government's spending cuts in social services in front of the headquarters of the Catalan Parliament, on May 29, 2013 in Barcelona. (LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)
A firefighter (R) attempts to stop a policeman (L) from extinguishing a bonfire lit by firefighters during a demonstration against the government's spending cuts in social services in front of the headquarters of the Catalan Parliament, on May 29, 2013 in Barcelona. (LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)
Firefighters hold flares during a demonstration against the government's spending cuts in social services in front of the headquarters of the Catalan Parliament, on May 29, 2013 in Barcelona. (LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)
A policeman (L) stands in front of firefighters attending a demonstration against the government's spending cuts in social services in front of the headquarters of the Catalan Parliament on May 29, 2013 in Barcelona. (LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)
Firefighters attend a demonstration against the government's spending cuts in social services in front of the headquarters of the Catalan Parliament on May 29, 2013 in Barcelona. (LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)
The reflection of the Catalan Parliament's headquarters is pictured on a firefighter's helmet attending a demonstration against the government's spending cuts in social services on May 29, 2013 in Barcelona. (LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)
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