Spanish manifestation against austerity and corruption (23F)
There was an important demonstration in Madrid and other Spanish cities yesterday, to protest against austerity and corruption. I've always thought such protests are essentially useless at best, and possibly even counterproductive (justifying the power as democratic and tolerant of the people's right to voice a discontent that, however, has no weight on the government's policy). Also the fact that most demonstrations are heavily politically sided with another half of the country, not manifesting, of the opposite opinion, buries it deeper into futility.
However, although most such protests are probably useless when not disputable, most civil revolutions also start from them. When the people at large get represented there, when their demands really become a subversive voicing of a popular opinion and therefore a threat for the government, when force and propaganda block their way, the bland protest becomes a vector of history.
I don't think there was anything special about the demonstration of yesterday, although the suspicious small coverage of it in the media may point at a movement from the streets that start to worry those in command. Also the zeal in dispersing the manifestation at 20:00, with the traditional arrests and lightly injured that follow (something around 45 for yesterday) may announce the likely protests of tomorrow that will not be authorized, that will be decried as anti-democratic by the politicians and the bankers who command their every moves, and brutally repressed by the armed forces. The ignition of a revolution.
I was pleased to have the feeling, even if not more precise than a feeling, that an extremely patient, bonhomous and submissive population was starting to trade personal political orientations for a grief towards the real culprit: the world of finance. It was still a lot of red colors and Republican flags, a lot of leftist blame against the political party currently in charge (PP). The situation would be essentially, if not exactly the same would the other side (PSOE) be in command. But never mind them, since the greedy money-makers will not set their own limits, one euro will eventually break the market's back and result in the ultimate rejection of the banking system. Something still impossible to conceive for most.
Corrupt politicians are pretty much the same, in an other context, than the repressing police. They are an interface between the finance and the people. They are an intermediate, when not even less than that, a screening, a toy.
Bankers, nevertheless, are increasingly identified and targeted as those responsible and guilty.
There will be many more marches like that of yesterday, that will not go anywhere in particular, but sooner or later, one will reach them.
Spanish people in the streets, starting their march from Atocha (in background).
Flooding the paseo del Prado.
Strangers in the multitude.
And those we don't know.
Most of them...
Although they all look familiar,
and friendly,
and passionate;
defining the Spanish people, beyond political inclinations.
All generations and social standings alike, here with an interesting statement.
A less philosophical one: "Nos €$táis matando hijos de PPutas" (PP is the governing party).
The Palacio de las Comunicaciones in background of the protestations.
Guille and friends leading the march.
Neptuno, the meeting point, in the eye of the power (symbolized here by the Ritz hotel)
and under Police surveillance (maybe you can see various cameras filming back).
Truncated Vergüenza España!, with no truncation of meaning.
