Over 140 people arrested, dozens injured in Spain as mass protests sweep across Europe [videos included]
Russia Today
November 14, 2012
Over 140 people have been arrested and 74 injured, including 43 police officers, as Spanish police react swiftly to reports of property damage and disorderly behavior while mass protests that began in Spain continue to roll out across the EU.
A wave of anti-austerity anger is sweeping across Europe. Spain and Portugal are undergoing general strikes, whereas Greece and Italy are seeing many walkouts.
In Spain – the fourth-biggest eurozone economy, yet with one in four workers unemployed – activists and unions have staged an evening rally outside the parliament in the capital, Madrid.
Police have reportedly fired rubber bullets to disperse protesters in Barcelona and Madrid.
According to the Interior Ministry, at least 142 people have been detained across Spain throughout the day and some 74 were injured in clashes.
Among those detained were a man and a woman from Madrid who were allegedly carrying material to build a bomb, including gasoline, nails, screws and a firecracker, El Mondo reports.
There were more sporadic clashes between riot police and protesters as thousands continued to gather on the central square of Puerta del Sol. Baton-yielding riot police were seen chasing hostile protesters down a central thoroughfare near city hall, where many of the shops have been shuttered in anticipation of potential riots.
After a tense face-off between protesters and a police cordon near the iconic Plaza de Cibeles Square, demonstrators have finally backed down for the time being. RT’s Sara Firth tweeted from the scene: “Just coming off Colon square in Madrid and have heard police are charging at Neptuno Square.”
A total of 232 flights have been canceled across Spain due to the general strike.
Policemen clash with demonstrators during a general strike on November 14, 2012 in Madrid. (AFP Photo / Dominique Faget)
Most of the anger has been concentrated on Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, whose cuts in health, education and welfare benefits continue. Rajoy, who won a landslide election victory a year ago, is wrestling with the second-largest budget deficit in the euro region while trying to revive the economy from a five-year slump that pushed the jobless rate to 26 per cent. He is trying to avoid following Portugal, Greece and Ireland into seeking a sovereign bailout. Outrage is also growing over Spaniards losing their homes for failing to keep up with mortgage payments.
In Portugal, roughly 40 towns and cities are being called upon to protest. Strikes are being held to protest measures including wage and pension cuts. State-owned airline TAP SGPS SA has canceled flights. Lisbon’s Metro service was shut and state-owned train operator CP-Comboios de Portugal said most trains will not run.
Italian unions, too, are urging a four-hour work stoppage.
Transportation and shipping will be disrupted throughout the day due to staggered, four-hour walkouts. A nationwide strike will see Italy’s railway employees cease work, while maritime workers are also expected to delay departure times of ships and ferries by four hours. The biggest protest will be held in Rome and is expected to involve around 3,000 protestors.
Demonstrators march during a protest on a day of mobilisation against austerity measures by workers in southern Europe on November 14, 2012 in Rome. (AFP Photo / Andreas Solaro)
Greece has called a three-hour walkout and a rally in Athens, as recent decisions by the government to further cuts spending in a bid to secure another tranche of bailout money have not gone down well. Greece has been at the crux of the eurozone crisis, with the country continuously tinkering with a possible default. This past week the government has been trying to further cut spending in order to secure another bailout.
It’s the first time the European Trade Union Confederation has appealed for a day of action that includes simultaneous strike action in four countries and further protests in other countries.
Other countries have also staged walkouts.
The synchronized and simultaneous strikes and protests have already grounded flights, forced schools to close and have shut down transport.
Policemen clash with demonstrators during a general strike on November 14, 2012 in Madrid. (AFP Photo / Dominique Faget)
Policemen clash with demonstrators during a general strike on November 14, 2012 in Madrid. (AFP Photo / Dominique Faget)
Police detain a man as picketers and protesters clashed with police during a 24-hour nationwide general strike in Madrid, November 14, 2012. (AFP Photo / Dominique Faget)
Policemen clash with a demonstrator during a general strike on November 14, 2012 in Madrid. (AFP Photo / Dominique Faget)
Engdahl: Germany Enforces Same Austerity that Paved Way to Third Reich [video]
Global Research TV
October 31, 2012
One in four people are now officially out of work in Spain as unemployment in the debt-ridden country reaches another record. The grim news comes as Madrid’s transport workers go on strike, adding to a sixth day of protests in the capital against austerity cuts.
That’s as another epicentre of the EU crisis – Greece – looks likely to miss its promised deficit deadline. The forecast from the International Monetary Fund’s debt inspectors comes a year after EU leaders applauded what they considered a key deal to save Athens.
Author and publicist F. William Engdahl, says all the measures the EU leaders are imposing are failing to address the core problems on the continent.
“Those banks remain the source of the problem. There is no landing going on to the real economy, and that`s the root cause of the 25 per cent unemployment in Spain and Greece and elsewhere across the EU,” he stated.
Originally aired on RT, October 26, 2012
http://rt.com/news/spain-unemployment-record-high-312/
Stop Imperialism – Episode 43 [audio]
by Eric Draitser
Stop Imperialism – Episode 43
September 29, 2012
In today’s episode:
1. Austerity in Europe – ‘NO’! Thousands flood Madrid in second day of anti-cuts demos
2. Syria – Syria rebels struggle to advance in new Aleppo offensive
3. Iran – Netanyahu: ‘Clear red line’ needed to stop Iran’s nuclear program
4. Pakistan (Diplomacy) – Pakistan endorses drones, rejects method: Khar
5. Pakistan (Balochistan) – Quelling conspiracy in Balochistan
6. Oil, Gas & Pipelines – Russia, Venezuela set up joint venture to develop Orinoco Oil Belt
7. Under the Radar – 3-D printing: A technology on the make?
Standard Podcasts [02:03:26m]: | Play in Popup | Download | Embeddable Player | Hits (591)
Intense Unrest in Spain [video]
YouTube — idahopicker
September 26, 2012
This is breaking out in most ALL countries around world.
[hat tip: WeAreChange ]
Order Out Of Chaos In Spain – Debt By Design [video]
Press For Truth
September 28, 2012
This week huge protests took place in Spain as the government has announced their proposed austerity cuts as a means of dealing with the current economic crisis. The international financiers are seeking a one world government and it can only be achieved through their motto of “order out of chaos”
Spain prepares more austerity, protesters battle police
Spain Protests Erupt as Bank Warns of ‘Deep Recession’
Police Beat Young Teenage Girls At Madrid Spain #25s Protest
Watch The Euro Crisis – Debt By Design
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Collapse Crisis Leading to Civil War? [video]
Activist Post
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http://homelandsecurityus.com/
http://rt.com/usa/news/army-manual-camps-citizens-593/
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