Violence amid austerity protests in Europe

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AFP - Getty ImagesDemonstrators march in Rome, Italy, as protests and strikes over austerity measures were held by people across Europe Wednesday.

Follow @NBCNewsWorld By NBC News staff and wire reportsUpdated at 9:05 a.m. ET: Pockets of violence broke out as public demonstrations and strikes over rising unemployment and austerity measures took place in many parts of Europe Wednesday.

Spanish and Portuguese workers staged a coordinated general strike across the Iberian Peninsula, shutting transport, grounding flights and closing schools to protest against spending cuts and tax hikes.

International rail services were disrupted by strikes in Belgium and workers in Greece, Italy and France planned work stoppages or demonstrations as part of a "European Day of Action and Solidarity.”

Hundreds of flights -- including those between southern Europe and connection hubs such as London Heathrow, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Amsterdam Schiphol -- were also canceled.NOVEMBER 7: Greece's government has approved another round of deep cuts to spending, wages and pensions, which sparked fierce clashes between police and protesters. ITV's James Mates reports. 

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