Clashes in Madrid as thousands protest cuts

Protestors gather close to Spain's Parliament ahead of
a demonstration in Madrid September 25, 2012.

Riot police have ringed the Spanish parliament in Madrid after clashing with demonstrators as thousands of protesters gather for a march against austerity tagged "Surround Congress".
Watch the protests LIVE
Riot Police belted protesters, dragging some them by the arms and legs, who had tried to get through police lines. An uneasy order was restored and police have now ring fenced the Congress building and are facing off demonstrators.
Thousands of activists have congregated in Madrid’s Plaza de Neptune, 100 meters from the Congress building, to protest Spanish austerity measures.
The demonstrators pledged to march around the building, and called for new elections. Metal barriers have been placed around the building to block access from every possible direction.
Demonstrators waved banners with the slogan ‘No’ written on them, in reference to the austerity policies of the Spanish government.
Protesters said that today is a key day to level criticism against politicians and the Spanish government. The city stationed armored police vehicles bumper-to-bumper around the parliament building, and announced that around 1,300 police would be deployed to counter the protesters.