This demonstration in Barcelona was primarily by students and teachers protesting against severe cuts in funding for education as part of the Spanish government's economic austerity program. The demonstration passed right in front of our hotel near the Plaza de Catalunya. The protest was very peaceful and the police remained out of sight until the end. It received heavy news coverage.

We estimate that there were roughly 10,000 demonstrators. The same type of government cuts to education funding have occurred in the U.S. now for several years but it's hard to imagine that such a large scale demonstration could be organized here.