Protestors arrested as police brutality is denied

POLICE arrested two members of a group of 15-M demonstrators who organized a march through Palma to protest about being moved on from Plaza de España.

Witnesses claim that 15 police officers beat some 20 people, as well as arresting the two men who have since been released with charges of attacks against the authorities. The Government Delegate in the Balearic Islands, Ramon Socias, said that the police used “moderate” force against the protesters and that medical reports will back this statement.

From the start of the protest, the National Police ordered the demonstrators, who planned to head to the City Hall, to break up the march because they were breaking the law, and when they failed to do so, the officers charged. Some of the protestors ran through the streets and others took to narrow passageways to prevent the police following them by car.

Shouting insults at the police the ‘indignados’ decided to return to Plaza de España, where the former protest camp had been broken up without incident.

After that, the police charged against the protesters three more times, ordering them to break up the protest, which after more insults and confrontations, they finally did. When they left the court they were received by some 100 supporters. Their lawyer explained he has videos which show they did not resist arrest.

Members of the 15-M movement have told those injured to go to health centres and get medical reports to present in court.

Socias also said that the police have been “tolerant” with protesters but will act if demonstrators interfere with the daily life of others. He pointed out that the 15-M movement had been respectful towards others and blamed violence on ‘anti-system’ protesters who take advantage of their demonstrations to cause trouble.

He suggested that the true 15-M supporters do whatever they could to do away with these elements in their group because the sympathy they have earned from citizens could turn into reject if they didn’t.

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