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Thousands in Spain March to Protest Economic Crisis


Demonstrators holding placards march towards the building of the Spanish parliament in Madrid, June 19, 2011
Demonstrators holding placards march towards the building of the Spanish parliament in Madrid, June 19, 2011

Spaniards angered about the economic situation have been staging regular protests in Madrid since May 15.

Thousands of Spaniards have marched in Madrid to protest high unemployment and the government's handling of an economic crisis.

They converged on the Spanish capital's Neptune plaza near parliament from six locations around the city Sunday, calling themselves "indignant" about Spain's nearly two-year-long recession. There were no reports of unrest.

Spaniards angered about the economic situation have been staging regular protests in Madrid since May 15. The movement later spread to other parts of the country.

Demonstrations also were planned Sunday in the northern city of Barcelona and the eastern city of Valencia.

Many protesters blame the crisis on banks and inept politicians. Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has tried to ease the country's large debt burden by cutting government spending, raising the retirement age, and making it easier for companies to fire workers.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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