Spain wants change

Thousands of people have taken part in protests across Spain's main cities, defying a government ban on political protest ahead of local elections.

In Madrid, some 25,000 protesters occupied a main square. Others gathered in Barcelona, Valencia and Seville.

The protesters are angry with the government's economic policies and the country's high youth unemployment rate.

Spain's electoral commission had ordered those camped out in Madrid to leave ahead of Sunday's elections.

But, as the ban came into effect at midnight, the crowds started cheering and police did not move in.

The protest began six days ago in Madrid's Puerta del Sol as a spontaneous sit-in by young Spaniards frustrated at 45% youth unemployment.

The crowd camping out in the square overnight grew and the protest has spread to other cities across the country.

According to Spanish news agency, Efe, a total of some 60,000 protesters has gathered across Spain, in Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, Bilbao as well as the capital.

BAN = PROHIBICIÓN...........................YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE = TASA DE PARO JUVENIL

AHEAD = DELANTE DE........................MIDNIGHT = MEDIA NOCHE......................CROWD = MULTITUD

ELECTIONS = ELECCIONES...............CHEER = VITOREAR, ACLAMAR.................SQUARE = PLAZA

GATHER = REUNIRSE.........................SIT-IN = SENTADA....................................OVERNIGHT = DURANTE LA NOCHE

ECONOMIC POLICY = POLÍTICA ECONÓMICA........................ ............................SPREAD =  EXTENDER

In pictures: Spanish protests