Spain makes money from protests

The Spanish government is planning to make money out of the frequent protests against it by establishing hefty fines.

The government has passed draft legislation which would impose fines of up to €30,000 for some offences, such as burning the national flag, insulting the state, or causing serious disturbances outside parliament.

Fines of up to €1,000 are also to be imposed for insulting or threatening police officers during demonstrations. Similar fines are planned for circulating photographs of police officers that endanger them or police operations.

Previously, the judge had discretion to set the amount of a fine, but the new legislation sets guidelines for fines.

Several new offences, classified as very serious, are in the bill. They include: demonstrations that interfere in electoral processes; unauthorised or prohibited protests at strategic installations such as airports or nuclear plants; and aiming blinding lights – such as laser beams – at public transportation. Here fines could rise to €600,000.

Since the economic meltdown began in 2008 and following the renewed austerity measures from 2011, cities in Spain have experienced demonstrations on a weekly basis. The majority of these have gone off without incident.

Judicial and social groups have joined voices with opposition parties, claiming the government is seeking to silence protest over its handling of the continuing economic crisis which has brought unemployment to 27%.

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