Hundreds of Romanians endured heavy snow Saturday to hold another day of protests against spending cuts and other austerity measures, including a controversial health reform bill.

The protesters in the capital, Bucharest, gathered for the ninth consecutive day to voice their anger at the government of President Traian Basescu and call for early elections. Some people waved banners saying they would press on with protests until the president and the government resign.

Although most protests have been peaceful, some clashes between protesters and police have turned violent.

The spending cuts are required as part of a multi-billion-dollar loan from the World Bank, the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

The United States has urged Romanians to avoid violence fueled by anger regarding the austerity measures.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the United States supports the right of people to protest and express their views “peacefully.” But she called on authorities and protesters to refrain from violence.