In Spain, the Indignados movement completes one year.
And thousands of people are protesting against the economic crisis in the streets of Madrid.
Brazil Agency – Thousands of protesters took to the streets of several cities in Spain today (12) to mark the first anniversary of the Indignados protest movement. Many are still expected to gather at Puerta del Sol Square in the center of the capital, Madrid.
In 2011, the Indignados movement set up camp in the square, but authorities said that today they will prevent protesters from spending the night there.
"The goal today is to reclaim public spaces," said protester Sofia Ruiz. "It's also a way to celebrate the fact that we've been around for a year and that we'll be here until the system changes, until we're heard, or until they take our demands into account," she added.
The protest movement was formed due to the impact of the worst economic crisis in decades in Spain. The unemployment rate hit a record high in April, and the government recently announced further austerity measures.
Similar protests, organized by the Occupy movement, are also taking place today in several cities in other countries, including London. In the British capital, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in front of St. Paul's Cathedral, where a protest encampment was removed by authorities in February.
Protests are also taking place in Italy, Belgium, and Germany.
In Spain, some sectors of society criticized the Indignados because the protests had little impact on Spanish politics in the last year. The government of conservative Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, elected in November 2011, introduced budget cuts and tax increases.
Rajoy also announced the deregulation of the labor market, which generated dissatisfaction among the country's unions.
"This is a long-distance race; no one can change the entire political system in a day or a year. It takes time," said Noelia Moreno, a former spokesperson for the Indignados movement in Madrid.