Special By By Melana Preston Jun 1, 2011 in World Athens - Protests continued for the seventh-straight night in central Athens yesterday as throngs of people converged on Syntagma Square in response to Greece’s current economic crisis. The protests are part of a non-partisan effort to challenge the government toward “real democracy” said protestor Nikos Nikolaidis, a sound engineer for a local television station. Like many in Greece, where unemployment has reached a rate of almost Protesters create a makeshift campground in Syntagma Square. Melana Preston "The people are universally upset with the government for stealing, but also don’t want a government controlled by the International Monetary Fund," Nikolaidis said. A makeshift campground occupied by resolute protesters displayed a variety of paintings featuring sardonic images of Greek prime minister George Papandreou, German chancellor Angela Merkel and former IMF chief Dominque Strauss-Kahn. Demonstrations remained peaceful throughout the night, though some moment’s revealed increasing animosity as the evening progressed. In one instance, a few irate protesters confronted police for blocking a walkway. Dozens of individuals cheered loudly when police eventually reopened the thoroughfare. Masses of people shouted, clapped, blew whistles, and rang bells in front of the parliament building. Others shined laser pens into the windows of the parliament building in an effort to capture the attention of officials inside. A few hundred people later blocked the main driveway of the building, shouting chants accusing the government of behaving like "thieves and pigs." "The people are protesting peacefully right now but will not be ignored. We will stay until something changes," Nikolaidis said. Nikolaidis acknowledged current political unrest in Spain and various European countries. He believes that the crisis in Greece will soon "become a global situation." Nikolaidis "hopes that people around the world will wake-up and start to ask about their freedom and what is a real democracy." Angered by a government crippled by a €360 billion debt ($514 billion) and a looming threat of national bankruptcy , vocal Greeks have returned to the streets. While Greek protests have historically evolved into violent riots, social media efforts to foster change through creative non-violent measures seem to have held so far.The protests are part of a non-partisan effort to challenge the government toward “real democracy” said protestor Nikos Nikolaidis, a sound engineer for a local television station. Like many in Greece, where unemployment has reached a rate of almost 16 percent , Nikolaidis hopes the political and economic situation will change soon. He continues to work for the station despite not receiving a paycheck in four months."The people are universally upset with the government for stealing, but also don’t want a government controlled by the International Monetary Fund," Nikolaidis said.A makeshift campground occupied by resolute protesters displayed a variety of paintings featuring sardonic images of Greek prime minister George Papandreou, German chancellor Angela Merkel and former IMF chief Dominque Strauss-Kahn.Demonstrations remained peaceful throughout the night, though some moment’s revealed increasing animosity as the evening progressed. In one instance, a few irate protesters confronted police for blocking a walkway. Dozens of individuals cheered loudly when police eventually reopened the thoroughfare.Masses of people shouted, clapped, blew whistles, and rang bells in front of the parliament building. Others shined laser pens into the windows of the parliament building in an effort to capture the attention of officials inside. A few hundred people later blocked the main driveway of the building, shouting chants accusing the government of behaving like "thieves and pigs.""The people are protesting peacefully right now but will not be ignored. We will stay until something changes," Nikolaidis said.Nikolaidis acknowledged current political unrest in Spain and various European countries. He believes that the crisis in Greece will soon "become a global situation." Nikolaidis "hopes that people around the world will wake-up and start to ask about their freedom and what is a real democracy." More about Protests, Greece, Imf, Eu, European union More news from Protests Greece Imf Eu European union Athens Unrest