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Sunday, January 21, 2024

Protests - Part 47

 Indignados

The 2008 financial crisis struck Spain particularly hard.  By 2011, the unemployment rate was 21%, and youth unemployment was 43%.  On May 15, 2011 a protest movement sprang up called the Indignados (outraged people) to oppose the government's austerity policies.

Above, an Indignados protest march in Valencia on June 19, 2011.

In July, massive protests erupted in Madrid for several days (above) ...

including these naked protesters on July 24.

Protesters outside the Banco de España on July 24 included this naked guy.  Note the red ring around one ankle, because we'll see him again.

Here's a front view of him at the bank.

Here he is later with another naked protester.  Look at all those photographers!  Proof positive that protesting naked is a good way to draw attention to your cause.  Of course, it helps if you're young and good-looking.

This time he seems to be wearing his shorts on his head ...

while his compatriot has dropped his pants.  Other protesters are behind them.

A rear view.

On May 15, 2012, the Indignados celebrated the first anniversary of their movement (above), with more naked protesters seen here from the front ...

and the rear.

The Indignados movement is still active today, but instead of mass demonstrations, the movement is now organized at the neighborhood level around housing and other social issues.

4 comments:

Henri said...

Hello from Madrid where I live from I was born 67 years ago. I lived these demonstrations of protests, 15M, for May 15th 2011 when started this protests with a camping in the center of the town, at Puerta del Sol, that went on in most of the main towns of Spain. From those year, many things have changed in my country. This movement is at the Parliament with several diputees chosen by the spanish citizens in democratic elections, under the names of Podemos ( We Can) and Mas Madrid ( More Madrid). Even some of the national government ministers belong to this last party. I love to see this photos, at Alcalá Street, the main one in town, by the Palace Hotel where we can see these beautiful and brave naked guy, just in front of the Parliament... Yes, a lot of things have changed in Spain. Good and bad things. The far right (racist, anti-gays, lesbian, inmigrants, anti development, nostalgics of dictature, violence lovers..) are at Parliament too for first time.
Thank you to remind this eoysode of the recent spanish history.
Hugs at all of you and thank you very much.
Henri.

SickoRicko said...

I was just thinking of you Henri! I'm glad you saw this.

Henri said...

Thank you Ricky. This remaind in this blog has touched me because I lived these events very hardly. Only one more thing: Mas Madrid is the local branch of Sumar, left wing party, now with some ministers in the national government. Hugs, kisses, dear Ricky. Henri.

Xersex said...

penultimate & last pic: so sexy guys!