Sol power: the 15-M story so far

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http://www.elpais.com/articulo/english/Sol/power/the/15-M/story/far/elpepueng/20110804elpeng_3/Ten

» May 15. The 15-M movement is born. The collective Real Democracy Now! brings together thousands of people in a number of squares in Spain in the build-up to the municipal elections. The Madrid protest sees 24 arrests. That night, 30 people decide to camp out in Sol square. The 15-M movement is born.

» May 16. First assembly. The protestors camped out in Sol hold their first meeting. They make clear that they do not support any political party. The next day, 18 of those arrested appear in court. By the night of May 17, the number of people camped out has risen to more than 200. The police clear them out, without any incidents.

» May 18. The protestors stay put. The camp springs up in Sol once more, with no opposition. The Madrid electoral commission bans any demonstrations but thousands of people ignore the decision and pack out the square. The improvised work groups from the first days of the movement are organized into eight commissions.

» May 19. The electoral commission intervenes. The commission bans the demonstration on May 21, which is a "day of reflection" ahead of the elections, when no campaigning is allowed. The movement continues with its assemblies. On May 20, similar protest camps spring up in Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia and Seville, as well as in other countries.