The wave of Los Indignados protests, also called the 15M movement to commemorate its May 15, 2011, launch, began as a response to chaos in the Spanish economy. The 15M demonstrators were precursors to America’s Occupy activists. To mark its one-year anniversary, Los Indignados—the indignant ones—demonstrated for 96 continuous hours, culminating in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square, where the movement was born.
Photo: Juan Medina/Reuters
The Los Indignados Way to Siesta
In unity with Indignados protestors in Madrid, these indignant Catalonians claimed Barcelona’s Plaça de Catalunya as a base of operations. The activists may appear to be loafing and reading in their tents, but keep in mind that work is scarce in Spain, where unemployment is at a stultifying 25 percent.
Photo: Gustau Nacarino/Reuters
Making Noise for Change
These Madrileñas—women living in Madrid—don traditional “chulapas” while taking part in a loud and clattering call for a continuation of the Indignados’ opposition to austerity measures, banks, politicians, economic recession and the highest unemployment in the eurozone.
Photo: Juan Medina/Reuters
V Is for Los Indignados
A Los Indignados protestor wears a Guy Fawkes mask on the back of her head. The mask has become a symbol of protest in Spain and for the Occupy movement in the United States. Guy Fawkes was a Catholic who, spurred by religious persecution, led a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament and bring down England’s Protestant monarchy. Fawkes was put to death for his efforts in 1605.
Photo: Gustau Nacarino/Reuters
Riot Police Arrest Dangerous Indignant
A riot policeman handcuffs a young woman during a protest in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol. Up to 100,000 people had flooded into the Puerta del Sol, chanting, “They don’t represent us.”
(Photo: Stringer Spain/Reuters)
Austerity Is a Deal Breaker
Indignados protestors stage a sit-in outside a Madrid branch of Bankia Bank. The indignants complain that austerity measures have hit everyone in Spain, except the country’s wealthiest elites.
Photo: Andrea Comas/Reuters
Indignant Muslim Women
Representatives of the pro-Palestinian Unadikum association shout slogans during a gathering commemorating the 15M movement at Plaza de la Constitucion in downtown Malaga, southern Spain. Like the Occupy battalions in America, Los Indignados makes room for almost any organization or group with a grievance.
Photo: Jon Nazca/Reuters
Short on Cash, Rich in Stickers
A government worker cleans the streets outside a branch of the Caix Terrassa bank in Madrid. Passers-by look at posters and stickers left in the bank by protestors of the Indignados movement.
Photo: Gaustau Nacarino/Reuters
Chain of Protestors
Demonstrators form a human chain and walk from Plaza de la Merced to Plaza de la Constitucion to commemorate the 15M movement in downtown Malaga, southern Spain. The placards hanging on their clothes read (L-R): “Courage,” “Fight” and “Rebellion.”
