54 people arrested in Madrid

Spanish police arrested 54 people after violent protests at Madrid Complutense University. Half of the arrested ones are students, according to police sources.

The Spanish police had to intervene after a group of demonstrators set up some barricades into the streets surrounding the University and set fire to trash containers. The protest started as a 48-hour strike regarding education spending cuts implemented.

Students at Madrid Complutense University occupied a building for a few days and were protesting peacefully against new requirements to access grants. University officials tried to negotiate with angry students and demonstrators, but they failed. The University even released a statement saying they “were trying to restart the activities that are in offer in the building on a daily basis to benefit and attend to the students.”

Eventually, the University had to request police intervention. “Given the deterioration of the conditions in terms of safety and hygiene, the Madrid Complutense University has decided to reestablish normal working conditions and access to the student building,” was written in the official statement.

More than 100 police officers were mobilized to reestablish order in the area. Although some students say the protests were not violent, police had to arrest more than 50 people. Official figures say at least half of them are students at the Madrid Complutense University.