Riots Rock Ukraine

Via Al Jazeera:

Thousands of anti-government demonstrators have clashed for hours with riot police in Ukraine's capital, attacking officers with sticks, stones and flares after new laws were passed to stifle protests. The protesters, many wearing hard hats and gas masks in defiance of the new legislation, also used stun grenades and fire extinguishers on officers at Sunday's rally in Kiev. Police responded by using tear-gas and stun grenades of their own. Water cannons were also fired at the protesters in temperatures of -8C, but the clashes continued. Dozens of people were injured as a result of the clashes, including more than 30 police officers. Despite appeals from opposition leaders not to resort to violence, and a personal intervention from Vitaly Klitschko, a Ukrainian boxer turned politician, protesters continued to throw smoke bombs and hurl fireworks and other objects at police.