This document summarizes the history and key events of the 15M Spanish movement from 2004-2012. It describes the context leading up to the 2011 protests, including discontent with political parties following terrorist attacks, a housing movement in 2006, and growing online activism. On May 15, 2011, large demonstrations occurred under the slogans "Real Democracy Now" and "They Don't Represent Us." Protesters occupied public squares without political symbols or leaders, focusing on open discussion and building new ways of organizing through networking and technology. Despite right-wing victories in subsequent elections, the movement reflected the views of the majority of Spaniards and influenced public debate.

1. This is what democracy will look like
No nos representan | Recall them all
#15M Spanish movement
st
Malmö 21 April 2012

2. A bit of context
2004 (13M) – After terrorist attacks massive
mobilizations take place
Political parties want to relate ETA with the attacks
instead of admitting that entering in Iraq war had
something to do with it.
Recall of politicians is required
Association of Persons Affected by the Terrorism
denounce they are been manipulated by polititians as
well as ignored. Their condition as victims and survivors
appeals to dialogue, unity, consensus, and the search for
common solutions.

3. th
2006 – 14 May
V de Vivienda – No tendrás casa en la puta
vida
An anonymous mail was sent, it spread during a
couple of months throughout the Net and
thousands of people took to the streets reclaiming
their right to housing. Spontaneous housing
movement started.

4. 2011:Previous months
No les votes http://www.nolesvotes.com/
Great activity in the Net, bloggers and hacktivists fight against
censorship in the Net, a law carried out by the two main partys.
Arab spring
Egypt uprising was widely followed, people was amazed looking at
Tahrir Square.
Democracia Real Ya
http://www.democraciarealya.es/quienes-somos/
Several collectives and platforms prepare a great demonstration
with the slogan Real democracy now!! A debate about what should
real democracy be started.

5. th
2011: 15 May
#spanishrevolution
The feeling of a revolution taking place was there, we could make
our dreams come true. We could breath more freely.
#tomalaplaza - http://tomalaplaza.net
The builing of the camp allowed many people to join, everyone was
need, everyone could contribute somehow, we were all united
#takethesquare - http://takethesquare.net
The world was watching, we needed to tell what was happening,
we wanted that the feeling of freedom spread all around the world.

6. Some slogans
Lo llaman democracia y no lo es
They call it democracy but it's not
Que no, que no, que no nos representan
No, they don't represent us
El sistema es anti-nosotros
The System is anti-us

7. Some essentials
No flags
No symbols
No political parties
No unions
No organizations/collectives

8. What happens?
Society as a whole questions Democracy and
financial crisis
There is a shortcut, mainstream media suddenly
had to focus on street discussions (radio, tv ,
music programs)
People think about things for themselves
(pensamiento assembly)

9. Consequences of the “essentials”
No hard identities wanted => Anonymous
No anti-anything wanted => Respect
No -isms wanted => Building a new way of doing
=> Openness
=> Trust

10. Anonymous
We have proven that people do not need
established leaders in order to respond to needed
action and take back public squares.
People has the knowledge and by sharing it
everything can be done.
Nobody represents the “other”, everyone just
represents himself/herself

11. Respect
People is tired of politicians attitude of disrespect
to the other, manipulation, corruption.
So one of our claims is respect as essential to
dialogue, inclusiveness.

12. Building new ways
“Old solutions” no longer work, things have
change, an update is needed
People don't believe in “old discourses”, they are
close to apolitical people
Talk about Left/Right closes options to dialogue,
sets up “teams” / dichotomy, you are for or against
but society means diversity

13. Building new ways
Creativity is the most outstanding feature
New chants not related to the traditional left
Humor is essential
Fighting for our rights is not a burden is a party
Love and care are essential
Expertise are among ourselves, we can carry out
new alternatives

14. Building new ways
Networking
Decentralization
Use of technologies
Stigmergy

15. Openness
Suddenly everything was/is possible
One slogan “Now the impossible is
unstoppable”
Public space open to everyone, in the hard sense
No discourses heard but sincere thoughts being
shared
Active listening
Not being pre-identified allows Trust

16. And the general elections came
and the right wing won
General elections are part of the “old” way of
doing
15M doesn't interfere with elections, there is no
forth or against elections, everyone is free to vote
anything
Elections just reflect the less bad governing option
for most people, 15M means changes in society

17. We are the 99%
It's not just a slogan, studies showed that 70%80% of Spanish population supported 15M
Big brands recognize the support to the take of
the squares by using them in their campaigns
Coca-Cola launches “Razones para creer”
(Reasons to believe) http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=yo4Kl3_nKd8
Telefónica focus its campaign in an assembly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
feature=player_embedded&v=EnheSUdO21M

19. Foto: Juan Plaza

25. #primaveravalenciana

26. #29M General Strike

27. Thanks to everyone :-)
Alice
Carolina