Thousands in Madrid march against police

Thousands of protesters have gathered in Madrid to demonstrate against use of force by police.

According to AFP, at least 20 people were injured when riot police late on Thursday charged demonstrators who had gathered outside the interior ministry after trying unsuccessfully to gain access to Madrid's Puerta del Sol square.

Some protesters had limbs broken, television broadcasts showed blood flowing freely, while seven of the injured were policemen.

Protesters have been gathering in the square since May to protest about issues arising from Spain’s economic crisis and rising unemployment.

The protesters yesterday regained access to the square – a symbol of their movement. Several wore badges that read “very fragile.”

"This square belongs to the people. We have much to celebrate today. We won this battle," a spokesman for the movement said.

Oriol, a 33-year-old whose arm was broken during the conflict on Thursday told the AFP, "I had my back to the police and they struck me three times, once in my arm. The riot police hit everyone, women, old people."

The protests in Madrid began on 15 May and spread to other Spanish cities via Facebook and Twitter.

Spain's unemployment rate is the highest in the EU, at 21.3%, and is particularly high among the under-25s, at 44.6%.