MADRID — Thousands of people protested in Spanish cities Saturday against a proposed law that would set hefty fines for offenses such as burning the national flag and demonstrating outside parliament buildings or strategic installations.
The Public Security Law was approved by one house of parliament last week and is expected to be accepted by the other government-controlled one next month. The bill has been heavily criticized by opposition parties and human-rights groups as an attempt by the conservative government to muzzle protests over its handling of Spain’s financial crisis.
The largest demonstrations occurred in cities such as Barcelona, Bilbao and Madrid, while smaller ones took place in Almeria, Granada and Valencia. Some protesters wore tape over their mouths.
The proposed law would allow fines of up to $37,000 for disseminating photographs of police officers that are deemed to endanger them or their operations.