In January 2009 , the government leaders of Iceland were forced to call elections two years early after the people of Iceland staged mass protests and clashed with the police because of the government 's handling of the economy . Hundreds of thousands protested in France against President Sarkozy 's economic policies . Prompted by the financial crisis in Latvia , the opposition and trade unions there organised a rally against the cabinet of premier Ivars Godmanis . The rally gathered some 10 – 20 thousand people . In the evening the rally turned into a Riot . The crowd moved to the building of the parliament and attempted to force their way into it , but were repelled by the state 's police . In late February many Greeks took part in a massive general strike because of the economic situation and they shut down schools , airports , and many other services in Greece . Police and protesters clashed in Lithuania where people protesting the economic conditions were shot with rubber bullets . Communists and others rallied in Moscow to protest the Russian government 's economic plans
Riot
2009 Riga riot
Great Recession