Tens of thousands of Spaniards protesting against the economic crisis and the austerity measures marched on the streets of different cities in the country Saturday to mark the first anniversary of the Indignados (indignant) movement that ignited similar protests worldwide.
At least 100,000 protestors flooded the streets of Madrid shouting slogans against the tough austerity measures and holding signboards against the banks. The protesters gathered in central Puerta del Sol plaza, where the Indignados movement was born a year ago.
The protesters said that they would continue with the demonstrations for three days. However, the authorities said they would not allow the protesters to camp overnight.
The Indignados movement was started as a protest against the soaring unemployment, widening gap between the rich and the poor, recession and the austerity measures.
Spain is still reeling under the euro zone debt crisis and unemployment rate has climbed over 24 percent. The Spaniards are facing tough and unpopular austerity measures, including cuts in public spending on welfare measures, health and education.
We have to stand up and say enough is enough! They pull our hair telling us we're lazy so they can dismantle social welfare and take away health and education and now they're bailing out the bankers, Reuters reported Gloria Bravo, a civil servant, as saying.
The situation is getting worse but the root of the problem remains the same; this is a moment of crisis for capitalism, Jesus Gonzalez, another protestor, told Reuters.
Protests marches took place in more than 80 cities in the country with people gathering in thousands chanting the protest mantra, They say it's democracy but it's not.
Similar protest marches and demonstrations were held in London. More than 600 protesters demonstrated against the Bank of England in the city and twelve of them were arrested.
A protestor carries a placard that reads 'Men choose, slaves obey' during a demonstration in central Valencia marking the one year anniversary of Spain's Indignados (Indignant) movementREUTERS/Heino KalisDemonstrators protest opposite the Stock Exchange Building during march commemorating the 15M movement in central Barcelona, May 12, 2012. Dubbed "los indignados" (the indignant), the movement which spawned similar protests worldwide, has called for 96 hours of continuous protest to culminate at the Puerta del Sol square where the movement was founded a year ago in a renewed protest over government austerity measures, banks, politicians, economic recession, and the highest unemployment in the eurozone.. REUTERS/Felix OrdonezA protester shouts slogans during a demonstration in central Valencia marking the first year anniversary of Spain's Indignados (Indignant) movement May 12, 2012. The movement which spawned similar protests worldwide, has called for 96 hours of continuous protest to culminate at central squares where the movement was founded a year ago in a renewed protest over government austerity measures, banks, politicians, economic recession, and the highest unemployment in the eurozone. The placard reads: "15M - These are our weapons".REUTERS/Heino KalisProtesters march next to the bullring in central Valencia marking the first year anniversary of Spain's Indignados (Indignant) movement May 12, 2012. The movement which spawned similar protests worldwide, has called for 96 hours of continuous protest to culminate at central squares where the movement was founded a year ago in a renewed protest over government austerity measures, banks, politicians, economic recession, and the highest unemployment in the eurozone. The banner reads: "We are the people, we are the 99 per cent".REUTERS/Heino KalisPolicemen stand guard during a protest marking the one year anniversary of Spain's Indignados (Indignant) movement in Madrid's Puerta del SolREUTERS/Andrea ComasA demonstrator holds a banner during a protest marking the one year anniversary of Spain's Indignados (Indignant) movement in Madrid's Puerta del SolREUTERS/Andrea ComasA demonstrator cools off in a fountain during a protest marking the one year anniversary of Spain's Indignados (Indignant) movement in Madrid.REUTERS/Paul Hanna
