Greek protesters threw stones and gasoline bombs at police today during one of the country’s largest strikes in recent years, MSNBC is reporting. The protest, which is in its second day outside of parliament, has come before the legislature votes on tax increases and spending cuts required by international creditors in return for crucial bailout cash.

The protest has disrupted public transportation, and has closed schools and shops throughout Greece. Most of the 70,000 protesters have marched peacefully, but chaos erupted when police tried to disperse them with tear gas.

While in parliament, Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos told lawmakers that Greeks would have to accept the current economic hardships. “We have to explain to all these indignant people who see their lives changing that what the country is experiencing is not the worst stage of the crisis.”

While Prime Minister George Papandreou asked the protesters to end their demonstrations, Venizelos appealed for government support. He also said he hopes there will be a definitive solution to the crisis after the European Union summit meeting on October 23.

Written by: Karen Benardello