‘Citizens’ tide’ of anti-austerity protests hit Spain (PHOTOS)
February 23, 2013 http://rt.com/news/spain-protest-austerity-corruption-347/
Public
workers, small political parties and non-profit organisations stage a
protest against government austerity on February 23, 2013 in Madrid.
(AFP Photo / Borja Sanchez-Trillo)
Thousands marched on the Spanish parliament in Madrid amidst a clamor of drums and whistles in one of many demonstrations throughout the country targeting the "coup of the financial markets."
The movement, dubbed “citizens’ tide, 23F," has brought together workers from disparate fields, including students, professors, healthcare workers, miners, environmentalists and political activists.
"We have come because of it all -- unemployment, corrupt politicians, the young people who have no future -- it's a combination of everything," Luis Mora, a construction worker in Madrid told AFP.
A
woman holds a flag depicting a picture of Argentine-born Cuban
revolution hero Che Guevara during a protest by public workers, small
political parties and non-profit organisations against government
austerity on February 23, 2013 in Madrid. (AFP Photo / Pierre-Pholippe
Marcou)
Many of those in attendance have been deeply affected by public sector cuts and tax hikes introduced by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy’s conservative government in a bid to tackle the country’s massive debt problem. Spain has seen regular protests against austerity measures that Rajoy says have cut a “path for the future."
Protesters counter that government corruption and the “pressure of financial markets” has led authorities to give away the “welfare state” instead of punish those responsible for the crisis.
The current recession, sparked by the 2011 collapse of the country’s housing market, has seen unemployment hit 26 percent. Youth unemployment is even higher, at times soaring over 50 percent. Saturday's protest falls on the 32nd anniversary of a failed attempt by right-wing officers to overthrow Spain’s burgeoning democracy and restore military rule.
A
woman holds a flag depicting a picture of Argentine-born Cuban
revolution hero Che Guevara during a protest by public workers, small
political parties and non-profit organisations against government
austerity on February 23, 2013 in Madrid. (AFP Photo / Pierre-Pholippe
Marcou)
A
firefighter wearing a Guy Fawkes mask and holding a placard reading "If
there is no justice for the people, there will be no peace for the
government" attends a demonstration on February 23, 2013 in Madrid. (AFP
Photo / Pierre-Pholippe Marcou)
Public
workers, small political parties and non-profit organisations stage a
protest against government austerity on February 23, 2013 in Madrid.
(AFP Photo / Pierre-Pholippe Marcou)
Health public workers stage a protest against government austerity on February 23, 2013 in Madrid. (AFP Photo / Cesar Manso)
Public
workers, small political parties and non-profit organisations stage a
protest against government austerity on February 23, 2013 in Madrid.
(AFP Photo / Borja Sanchez-Trillo)
Miners attend a protest against government austerity on February 23, 2013 in Madrid. (AFP Photo / Cesar Manso)
Public
workers, small political parties and non-profit organisations stage a
protest against government austerity on February 23, 2013 in Madrid.
(AFP Photo / Cesar Manso)
Public
workers, small political parties and non-profit organisations stage a
protest against government austerity on February 23, 2013 in Madrid.
(AFP Photo / Cesar M
