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Spanish anti-austerity protesters clash with police Spanish anti-austerity protesters clash with police
(about 1 hour later)
Spanish police and protesters clashed during an anti-austerity demonstration that drew tens of thousands of people to central Madrid today. At least two people were arrested. Spanish police and protesters clashed during an anti-austerity demonstration that drew tens of thousands of people to central Madrid on Saturday. Police said in a statement that six officers were injured and 12 people were arrested.
As a final speech was being given, protesters attempted to break through a police barrier and make their way toward the nearby headquarters of the governing conservative Popular Party. Riot police then charged the protesters, who hurled bottles and other objects, and beat them back with batons. As a final speech was being given, some protesters attempted to break through a police barrier and make their way toward the nearby headquarters of the governing conservative Popular Party. Riot police then charged the protesters, who hurled bottles and other objects, and beat them back with batons.
One police vehicle and a bank were damaged by protesters. It wasn't immediately clear if anybody was seriously injured. One police vehicle and a bank were damaged by protesters. It wasn't immediately clear how many protesters were injured, and if anybody was seriously hurt on either side.
Demonstrators from across Spain were protesting government measures they claim have eroded civil rights in the country. Six columns of protesters — each from a different region of Spain — had arrived at the outskirts of the city early Saturday before heading for Colon square, carrying banners bearing the slogan “Marching for Dignity.” Protesters say Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government has eroded Spain's much-valued public health and education systems, while saddling Spaniards with sky-high unemployment and more debt.
Six columns of protesters - each from a different region of Spain - had arrived at the outskirts of the city before heading for Colon square, carrying banners bearing the slogan “Marching for Dignity.”
By late afternoon, Madrid's principal boulevard, Paseo del Prado, was packed with people chanting against government's austerity policies and the cuts they have entailed.By late afternoon, Madrid's principal boulevard, Paseo del Prado, was packed with people chanting against government's austerity policies and the cuts they have entailed.
“I don't want corruption, government cuts and unemployment,” said office worker Susana Roldan, 24. “What I want is a secure future in Spain.”“I don't want corruption, government cuts and unemployment,” said office worker Susana Roldan, 24. “What I want is a secure future in Spain.”
Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's government has pushed through waves of austerity-driven, unpopular tax hikes and government program cutbacks since taking office in 2011, in a bid to reduce Spain's budget deficit. Rajoy's conservative government has a large parliamentary majority, enabling it to push through waves of austerity-driven, unpopular tax hikes and government program cutbacks since taking office in 2011, in a bid to reduce Spain's budget deficit.
Spain's economy began to crumble in 2008 with the collapse of its bloated real-estate sector. It emerged from a two-year recession late last year as investor confidence returned and the country's borrowing costs dropped from perilously high levels in 2012 to pre-crisis rates this year. But unemployment is still cripplingly high at 26 per cent, leading many to seek work oversees. Spain's economy began to crumble in 2008 with the collapse of its bloated real-estate sector. It emerged from a two-year recession late last year as investor confidence returned and the country's borrowing costs dropped from perilously high levels in 2012 to pre-crisis rates this year. But unemployment is still cripplingly high at 26 per cent, leading many to seek work overseas.
The protest includes trade unions, civil servants and organizations representing people evicted from their homes for not being able to make mortgage payments after losing their jobs.The protest includes trade unions, civil servants and organizations representing people evicted from their homes for not being able to make mortgage payments after losing their jobs.
One woman carried a banner saying, “My daughter can't be here because she's had to emigrate.”One woman carried a banner saying, “My daughter can't be here because she's had to emigrate.”
APAP