Spain anti-austerity demo turns violent

2012-09-30 114

Riot police charge in the Spanish capital, dispersing protesters angry at the government's austerity measures.

Clashes broke out on Saturday (September 29) night as demonstrators vented anger at politicians they accuse of cutting welfare to bail out banks.

It's the third time in a week thousands have gathered in central Madrid.

Spain is at the centre of the euro zone debt crisis on concerns it cannot control its finances amid a deepening recession.

But efforts to save billions of dollars have led to unpopular cuts that have fuelled protests.

Saturday's demo ended in a sit-in as a group of protesters stayed into the night.

Many vowed there would be more demonstrations to come.