The trade union-organized rally was held in front of the Lithuanian parliament and government offices. Police were forced to use tear gas at one point as the part of the 7,000-strong crowd tried to force its way into parliament.
Protesters were demonstrating against policies that have led to tax increases and public spending cuts, and demanded that government officials show solidarity with the people by decreasing their own salaries.
After the demonstration was over, several hundred people remained outside parliament and began throwing eggs and empty bottles at the building, shattering several windows.
Protesters also threw eggs at the ex-mayor of Vilnius, Arturas Zuokas, with one of the eggs hitting him in the neck.
Local authorities had been concerned beforehand that the rally would see violence similar to that which hit protests in the neighboring Baltic state of Latvia on January 13, where more than 40 people were injured in clashes with riot police. As a result, some 400 police officers were on duty at the Vilnius protest.
