Thousands of youths protest against banks and government in Spain

Already dubbed the 15-M, thousands of Spaniards gathered to protest the Spanish government, bank system and political parties.  The majority of the protesters are students, unemployed Spaniards and social groups that have been networking via social networks to propel the mass demonstration in more than 50 Spanish cities on Sunday. The rally comes just one week before general elections in all Spanish cities and towns.

Why all the unrest and outrage? Young Spaniards have an unemployment rate of over 40%, the highest in the world, and they are fed up with having to "pay" for the financial crisis when the fault is in the hands of banks and political parties.

Some have even refered to young Spaniards as the "lost generation" with rampant unemployment, bad pay and temporary contracts. On Sunday yellow shirts were distributed by the "Youth Without a Future group" and the actual demonstration was organized by activist groups who march under the slogan "We aren’t merchandise in the hands of politicians and bankers.”

Disgruntled by a two-party system that youth complain "does not truly represent the people", huge crowds gathered in the Puerta de Sol (Sun´s Gate) in Madrid. 18 people were arrested in a minor clash with police. Now, the protesters demand their release.

The protests are still going on in many Spanish cities, demanding change, demanding that the citizens do not pay for the bank's and government's mistakes.

Picture credit: El Pais Newspaper