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Campaigning Wiki

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Summary

In 2011, a loose coalition of Spanish citizens known as the Indignados or 15M Movement protested austerity measures, unemployment, political corruption, and the two-party system. The campaign began with a call from the online group Democracia Real YA and involved massive demonstrations, occupations of public squares, and marches across Spain. Despite mobilizing millions and inspiring global movements, the campaign failed to achieve its sweeping demands for systemic change.

Background

The 2008 economic crisis hit Spain harder than any other EU country, with unemployment reaching 21.3% and youth unemployment 43.5% in 2011. The government responded with austerity measures including labor reforms that made hiring and firing easier and raised the retirement age. Workers held general strikes in 2010 but failed to change government policy, leading to the creation of the online group Democracia Real YA in January 2011.

What happened

On 13 May 2011, Democracia Real YA nonviolently occupied the Bank of Murcia and called for protests on 15 May via social media. [source: nv-database] Demonstrations occurred in at least seven cities, with 20,000-50,000 in Madrid and 15,000 in Barcelona, totaling an estimated 130,000 protesters nationwide. [source: nv-database] Police beat demonstrators in Madrid, leading to 24 arrests and injuries. [source: nv-database] On 16 May, protesters began camping in la Puerta del Sol in Madrid and Plaça Catalunya in Barcelona, vowing to stay until the 22 May elections. [source: nv-database] Police attempted to clear the camps on 17 May, sparking protests in 30 cities. [source: nv-database] The United Left sought a ban on rallies, which the Supreme Court granted but the Tribunal Council appealed. [source: nv-database] On 21 May, protesters unleashed a primal scream in defiance. [source: nv-database] On 22 May, election results showed record blank and split votes. [source: nv-database] On 27 May, riot police cleared Plaça Catalunya, injuring 121. [source: nv-database] On 15 June, protesters blockaded the Catalan Parliament; police fired rubber bullets and protesters threw rocks and bottles, injuring 12 police. [source: nv-database] On 19 June, about three million people rallied in 80 cities. [source: nv-database] Eight columns marched from across Spain, meeting in Madrid on 23 July. [source: nv-database] On 25 July, 50 Indignados began a march to Brussels. [source: nv-database] On 27 July, police removed a camp in Madrid with 12 injuries. [source: nv-database] On 2-3 August, police prevented protesters from re-entering la Puerta del Sol, ending contiguous action. [source: nv-database] Sporadic protests continued into October and December, with 250,000 gathering in Barcelona on 15 October, but the campaign never regained momentum [source: nv-database].

Key people & organizations

  • Democracia Real YA
  • Acampadabcn
  • Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party (PSOE)
  • People’s Party (PP)
  • United Left (IU)
  • Workers’ Commissions (CCOO)
  • Unión General de Trabajadores (UGT)

Tactics used

The campaign combined symbolic occupations, mass demonstrations, and sustained encampments to disrupt normal life and draw attention to systemic grievances. Social media coordination allowed for rapid, decentralized mobilization across Spain. [source: nv-database]

Outcome

Verdict: lost.

The campaign failed to achieve any of its specific demands for political and economic reform, scoring 0 out of 6 points for success. However, it grew to involve millions and inspired later movements, though its broad and unfocused goals prevented concrete victories. [source: nv-database]

Lessons

  • Broad, sweeping demands can generate widespread passion and participation but may hinder achieving specific policy changes.
  • Social media can rapidly build a coalition of hundreds of groups without formal leadership.
  • Sustained occupation of symbolic public spaces can maintain media attention and pressure on authorities.

Sources

Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.

Sources & verification

  • nv-database — grounding: primary — license: link-only
  • Rewritten: 2026-06-25 via worker_casestudies_v2.py

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