Macedonians Demonstrate Against Park's Destruction

The demonstrators have called on Macedonians to join them in future protests against government plans to build administrative offices on the site of the park.

SKOPJE -- Several dozen protesters have staged a demonstration against the destruction of a small park in the center of the Macedonian capital, Skopje.

The protest was called late on August 4 after workers, backed by police, had demolished the so-called Bristol Park before dawn that day.

The park was named after a nearby hotel.

Police also destroyed a small tent camp set up by activists from the groups Avangarda and Kislorod (Oxygen).

The demonstrators have called on Macedonians to join them in future protests against government plans to build administrative offices on the site of the park.

In an ironic gesture, the protesters announced they had renamed the demolished park after Nikola Gruevski, the Macedonian prime minister.