ATHENS  Striking civil servants brought public services to a halt across Greece on Wednesday, in a largely peaceful one-day protest against the tough austerity measures that officials have said are necessary to stave off a mounting financial crisis.

Greece has been under intense pressure from other members of the European Union to cut its huge budget deficit and is in danger of failing to refinance some $28 billion in debt coming due in April and May. Fears of default in Greece and other struggling European countries have stirred up financial markets around the world in recent weeks.

But the government’s proposals for deep spending cuts to rein in the deficit have met significant resistance.

“We won’t pay for their crisis!” voices amplified by loudspeakers blared from Klafthmonos Square. “Not one euro to be sacrificed to the bankers!”