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When I came to Santiago de Compostela this year,
I wondered who in the world were all the people
on the Obradoiro square.
Normally, it is the place where the pilgrims meet.
Could it be possible that all the albergues,
hostals and hotels in town were full
so that the pilgrims had to camp here, sleeping in their tents?
No, they were not pilgrims. It was a protest.
A protest against politics, and above all, against politicians.
On May, 15, there had been a huge demonstration in Madrid.
It was the week before regional and municipal elections
would take place. Young people who didn't agree
with the politics made by the government because they did not
see any future for themselves, had followed
the model of the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt,
and had occupied the Plaza Mayor, the main square of the capital.
Soon, this kind of protest had spread out over the whole country.
In León, on my way to the cathedral, I crossed the Plaza de Botines
with its beautiful Botines building constructed by the famous
Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí.
There were even more tents on the square,
and people who said: "Yes, we camp!"
On my way home, I also passed Burgos.
I was not surprised to find the Plaza Mayor
occupied by young people, too.
Everywhere, they were indignant and angry.
At night, for a small town like this,
there was a rather big demonstration,
and not only young people participated in it.
In Bilbao, it was the Plaza de Arriaga in front of the theatre
which was converted into a spot full of discussions,
happenings and actions.
Something has changed here in Spain.
The young generation is no longer willing to tolerate
the behaviour of most of the politicians
who only think of their own interests and not of the
common good of all the people they represent.
These young people know that they are strong together.
It is just great to see this.
Politicians all over the world,
consider well what you are doing,
and be aware of the power of the people
beyond your parties and fiddle circles!
They can push you away.