Clashes in Madrid as protest over govt spending spreads to 46 cities

Published time: January 16, 2014 15:38

Rallies that started in the Spanish city of Burgos have spread nationwide, including Madrid, leading to 14 arrests in the capital. The initial protest to a costly government project quickly infected other cities in the recession-stricken country.

The capital, Madrid, saw one of 46 protests take place in Spain on Wednesday.

There, several hundred people came out onto Puerta del Sol square in the city center in support of those who had been gathering in Burgos’ Gamonal district for about a week to protest the government’s plans to re-model a street, as well as its brash spending in times of economic difficulties for the country.

But the protest in Madrid quickly turned into a riot, resulting in several dozen of the more radical protesters clashing with the police, several hours later in the afternoon.

Arriving at Genoa street, the more violent protesters started throwing firecrackers, smoke bombs, bottles and various street objects at the police, who met the assault with batons and set up barricades. The protest took place close to the headquarters of the ruling People’s Party (PP).

The police then chased the hooligans in smaller groups around the capital’s downtown streets, as a result of which five policemen and six protesters received injuries.

There were also 14 arrests – including three minors.

FULL STORY w/ VIDEO: http://rt.com/news/spain-protesters-clash-spending-692/