Romanian diaspora returns for mass anti-government demonstrations

More than 50,000 Romanians, including thousands of diaspora members, took to the streets of Bucharest this weekend as part of an anti-government rally in Romania.              

More than 450 were reportedly hurt, as protestors demonstrating against corruption, clashed with Romanian police.

The crowds shouted slogans including "Diaspora is with us!" and "Justice, not corruption". The rally was reportedly organised on social media under the motto "Diaspora at Home,"

Riot police were seen firing tear gas into the crowds and firing a water cannon.

Romanian president Klaus Iohannis came out to “condemn riot police’s brutal intervention, strongly disproportionate to the actions of the majority of people in the square”.

“The interior ministry must explain urgently the way it handled tonight’s events,” he added.

Approximately 3 million Romanians live abroad, according to the World Bank. 

See more from the Guardian here and CNN here.

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