Spanish Police brutally charges on peaceful demonstrators in Barcelona

Spanish demonstrators attacked by police

The Outraged (Los Indignados) were dispersed for some time by riot police at Barcelona’s Plaza de Catalunya today with at least 120 injured, many of whom have been treated in local hospitals. According to the account of the demonstrators, the crackdown started in the morning when police moved in firing rubber bullets and tear gas. Images can be seen in a video circulating in the internet today of police attacking peaceful demonstrators with their batons without prior provocation. Many can be seen running bleeding and helpless against the overwhelming use of force of the riot police agents.

Tens of thousands of Spaniards have filled the main squares of Spain’s cities since May 15 in a wave of anger over economic stagnation, growing unemployment and government austerity measures. They have dubbed themselves as The Outraged (Los Indignados).

The camp, that had been cleared in the morning raid in detriment of the protesters, has since then been retaken by los indignados and thousands of their supporters who hurried to the plaza in response to the appeal issued over the social networks for friends to come and defend  the camping site. Outnumbered by protesters, the police withdrew and, according to eyewitnesses, by 1:00 in the afternoon (local time), there were around 9 000 demonstrators at the plaza with renewed outrage.