Police, protesters clash on economy
MADRID — Tens of thousands of Spaniards and Portuguese rallied in the streets of their countries’ capitals Saturday to protest enduring deep economic pain from austerity measures, and the demonstration in Madrid turned violent after Spaniards enraged over a long-lasting recession clashed with riot police for the third time in less than a week near Parliament.
The latest violence came after thousands of Spaniards who had marched close to the Parliament building in downtown Madrid protested peacefully for hours. Police with batons moved in just before midnight to clear out those who remained late because no permission had been obtained from authorities.
Some protesters responded by throwing bottles and rocks. An Associated Press photographer saw police beat a protester who was taken away in an ambulance.
Spain’s state TV said early today that two people were hurt and 12 arrested near the barricades erected in downtown Madrid to shield the Parliament building. Television images showed police charging protesters and hitting them with their batons, but the violence did not appear as severe as a protest on Tuesday when 38 people were arrested and 64 injured.
Earlier, the boisterous crowds let off ear-splitting whistles and yelled “Fire them, fire them!” — referring to the conservative government of Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy.
In neighboring Portugal, tens of thousands took to the streets of Lisbon on Saturday afternoon to peacefully protest against even deeper austerity cutbacks than Spain has imposed.