Thousands of people in Spain demonstrated over the week, protesting against the new security law.
The law prohibits demonstrations outside parliament buildings or strategic installations and other acts, such as burning the Spanish flag and disseminating photos of police officers.
Individuals participating in demonstrations in outlawed areas could be fined up to €600,000, if they are deemed to breach the peace. Those insulting police officers could be fined up €600. Burning a national flag could cost the perpetrator a maximum fine of €30,000.
Parliament approved the new legislation last week, amidst heavy criticism from opposition parties and human rights groups which point to it being an attempt to silence protests over the way the conservative government is dealing with Spain’s economic woes.
The largest demonstrations on Saturday took place in cities such as Barcelona, Bilbao and Madrid, with smaller ones in Almeria, Granada and Valencia. All were said to have ended peacefully.
The demonstrators included groups opposed to forced evictions because the law can levy fines of €30,000 for attempting to prevent home repossessions.
Others protested another facet of the new law that lets police in Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla to summarily expel migrants caught trying to enter Europe by storming border fences.
