Since May 15, residents of many cities around Spain have been demonstrating against the country's ongoing financial crisis, its politicians, and its bankers. The spontaneous protests are the largest since the country plunged into recession in 2008, and they're made up mainly of young people who have set up camps in main squares across the country. Called "los indignados" (the indignant), the May 15 Movement, or simply 15-M, they are fueled by frustration with austerity measures, apparent indifference from politicians, and serious joblessness. Spain's unemployment rate for those under 25 stood at 43.5 percent as of February -- the highest youth unemployment rate in the 27-nation European Union. As Spain enters an election weekend, this collection focuses on some recent scenes of dissent from around the country.
A Defiant 'Spanish Revolution'
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Shadows of people taking part in a demonstration organised by the group dubbed "Youth Without a Future" in Madrid, to protest against professional and social conditions of the youth in Spain, on May 15, 2011. The text reads "They call this democracy". #
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Demonstrators gather and shout slogans in Madrid's famous landmark Puerta del Sol, against politicians, bankers and authorities' handling of the economic crisis May 18, 2011. #
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Demonstrators shout slogans during a rally in Barcelona, on Wednesday, May 18, 2011. Spanish university students and youth groups were protesting against a youth unemployment rate of 40 percent and austerity measures taken to end Spain's debt crisis. #
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A demonstrator covers her eyes with a mock currency note during a demonstration calling for "Democracia Real , Ya! (Real Democracy, Now!)" in Malaga, southern Spain, on May 15, 2011. #
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A man waits for a bus as he stands at a bus stop at Madrid's famous landmark Puerta del Sol, May 19, 2011, during a protest against politicians, bankers and authorities' handling of the economic crisis. The graffiti on the glass panel reads "Indignation is not enough". #
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A man reads placards stuck on the entrance of the Puerta del Sol subway station in Madrid, on May 19, 2011 during a protest against Spain's economic crisis and its sky-high jobless rate. #
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Crowds wave their arms during a protest against politicians, bankers and authorities' handling of the economic crisis in the Plaza Arriaga in Bilbao, on May 19, 2011. #
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Crowds gather and shout slogans in Madrid's famous landmark Puerta del Sol, against politicians, bankers and authorities' handling of the economic crisis, on May 18, 2011. #
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A lone demonstrator watches over supporters of a protest against the ongoing financial crisis, politicians and bankers as they camp out at Madrid's Puerta del Sol, on May 17, 2011. #
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Protesters against the ongoing financial crisis, politicians and bankers take part in a demonstration and public assembly at Madrid's Puerta del Sol, on May 17, 2011. The placard at center reads, "enough!". #
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Demonstrators listen to a speaker on top of a platform in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, on May 20, 2011. Tens of thousands of Spaniards angry over joblessness protested for a sixth day on Friday in cities all over the country, and the government looked unlikely to enforce a ban on the demonstrations, fearing clashes. #
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People with their mouths taped shut participate in a protest against Spain's economic crisis and its sky-high jobless rate at the Puerta del Sol square in Madrid on May 20, 2011. #
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Hands are raised in protest at Puerta del Sol square in Madrid, on May 20, 2011 during a rally against Spain's economic crisis, jobless rate, austerity measures, political structure, and more. #
Pedro Armestre/AFP/Getty Images
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