This is why Spain is threatening to slap protesters with 600,000 euro fines

spain protest
(Image credit: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images)

Back in March, the conservative Spanish government passed a law sharply limiting the right of public protest. It is set to take effect tomorrow, and groups including Greenpeace are protesting in advance, calling it a "gag law."

The law prescribes, among other things, fines up to 600 euros for not notifying the authorities in advance about a protest, up to €30,000 for disturbing the peace around government buildings, and up to 600,000 euros for spontaneous demonstrations near certain infrastructure, such as power stations or transit hubs.

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Ryan Cooper

Ryan Cooper is a national correspondent at TheWeek.com. His work has appeared in the Washington Monthly, The New Republic, and the Washington Post.