Spanish towns and cities see protests against gagging law

DEMOS have taken place across Spain against public safety laws – dubbed ‘Jaws’ – brought into force on July1. One such protest was formed by social groups in the Gandia area, who convened a public forum at the so-called Camping 15-M Safor-Valldigna in the main square in central Gandia.
In the unanimous opinions of those assembled, the laws represent a serious infringement on the democratic freedoms to which the citizens of Spain are entitled.
The particular aspects of the new laws that are found to be unacceptable to the supporters of the meeting are the special powers assigned to forces attached to state security and the criminalisation of public street protests.
The meeting was joined by political organisations such as Esquerra Unida, members of the PSOE, Compromís and Endavant as well as union representatives of the CGT and CCOO, all of whom have pledged a united front to uphold the basic right of Spaniards to protest against unfair legislation.
Certain articles of the penal code have also been amended along with the new laws.