Spanish protest movement brings thousands to the streets of Madrid

Aug 3, 2011, 6:10 GMT

Madrid - Thousands of Spaniards demonstrated overnight in Madrid, demanding changes to the political and economic system after police expelled protesters from a central square.

The demonstrators chanted slogans against politicians, saying they did not feel represented by them, according to media reports.

The rallies were called by the so-called 15-M protest movement which brought tens of thousands of people to the streets on May 15.

Protesters then occupied city squares around the country for about a month. A few dozen protesters had remained at Madrid's Puerta del Sol square, the centre of the nationwide protest, from where police expelled them peacefully on Tuesday.

Rallies were called over the internet to protest against the expulsion.

Protesters gathered in streets near the Puerta del Sol, which police had cordoned off, and marched towards parliament. Hundreds of them met to discuss future action at the Plaza Mayor square, where dozens spent the night.

The 15-M was sparked largely by Spain's 21-per-cent unemployment, the eurozone's highest. Its rallies have usually been peaceful, though there have been occasional clashes with police.