Street fires, violence in Spain protest
Riot police walk past burning garbage containers during heavy clashes with demonstrators during a 24-hour strike in Barcelona. (March 29, 2012) Credit: Getty Images
Protesters smashed bank and storefront windows with hammers and rocks and set fire to a cafe Thursday as economic protests in Spain's second-largest city turned violent.
The riots in Barcelona broke out during a nationwide general strike that closed factories, slowed transportation systems and crippled hospitals. Tens of thousands of people marched in Madrid and other cities protesting an economic plan of spending cuts and tax hikes.
Demonstrators ran past burning trash bins on the street. Some kicked in store windows and hurled stones at riot police.
Authorities arrested 176 protesters across Spain and said 104 people were injured in clashes, including 58 police officers. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
