SPAIN: Thousands take to the streets in Madrid in a Global Noise protest to demonstrate against austerity measures and debt

Record ID: 702368

  • Title: SPAIN: Thousands take to the streets in Madrid in a Global Noise protest to demonstrate against austerity measures and debt
  • Date: 14th October 2012
  • Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (OCTOBER 13, 2012) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE MARCHING DEMONSTRATORS DRUMMING DEMONSTRATORS CARRYING PLACARDS READING IN SPANISH: "PUBLIC BANK, REAL ECONOMICS" VARIOUS OF DEMONSTRATORS TAKING OFF THEIR CLOTHES VARIOUS OF DEMONSTRATORS IN THE NUDE RAISING THEIR ARMS VARIOUS OF DEMONSTRATORS MARCHING
  • Embargoed: 29th October 2012 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Spain
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Economic News,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAXVZLJGJUO7RF7DCUM0WDX4UJ
  • Story Text: Demonstrators in Madrid joined the Global Noise protest on Saturday (October 13) to express discontent over the government's austerity measures.
    Protesters turned up in their thousands kicking off their protest at the headquarters of the European union in Madrid. Crowds chanted and snaked through the main throughways of central Madrid in a festive atmosphere, beating drums and other instruments, while others carried placards and banners.
    Some took off their clothing as part of their demonstration.
    The centre-right government of Mariano Rajoy has been beset by anti-austerity protests and threats of secession by the wealthy northwestern region of Catalonia as he resists market and diplomatic pressure to apply for a full bail-out, partly out of concern for national sovereignty but also because European Union paymaster Germany insists Spain doesn't need help.
    Discontent amongst the electorate is on the rise as spending cuts continue and a bank bail-out is in the process of taking place.
    With the highest unemployment rate in Europe - almost 25 percent - Spaniards feel they are being asked to tighten their belts while banks get rescued.
    Public workers have seen their salaries slashed as part of the government's attempt to cut spending and reduce the deficit.
    On Tuesday (September 25) thousands of people took to the streets in the Spanish capital to protest against government cuts. Police arrested 35 protesters during Tuesday's demonstration and 64 police and demonstrators were injured in the clashes.
    On Wednesday (September 26) the Indignados and other organisations staged a second protest against austerity measures and what they said was excessive police force used a day earlier.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2012. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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