Demonstrators in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, on 19 May 2011, protest at spending cuts and mismanagement of the economy. Photograph: Andrea Comas/REUTERSfrom the WaPo:
Just days before local elections in Spain, 15,000 protesters have gathered in the main Puerta del Sol square of Madrid, protesting planned austerity measures.
The Spanish demonstrations have spread across the country to Sevilla, Granada and Valencia, encouraged by youth groups and social media campaigns.
The Madrid electoral board banned demonstrations, but thousands defied the prohibition, setting up camp in the square, with more people arriving each day.
Though riot police have been deployed in some cities, they have not intervened in the protests. Simon Hunter at the Spanish newspaper El Pais reported that the Cadiz mayor has said, “If they're demonstrations are independent, they have every right to be there.” ..............(more)
The complete piece is at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/spainish-demonstrations-continue-around-country-for-fourth-day/2011/05/19/AFbBUC7G_blog.html