7 arrested as protest in Madrid turns violent

There were violent incidents in the center of Madrid on Saturday night after thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to protest against the government's proposed law on citizens' security.

By midnight seven people had been arrested and 23 injured as a group of protestors began to hit a police car, prompting a response from some of the 1,250 riot police on duty.

Groups of protestors then responded by throwing glass bottles from a nearby container.

The march, which was not authorized, began late afternoon and was organized by "25 September Surround the Congress."

A group of demonstrators then attempted to surround the Congress, carrying banners with phrases such as "Fascism wants to silence the people", "my voice is dignity" and "the voice of the people is not illegal" in protest at the new security law, which will impose heavy penalties for actions such as taking photographs of the police in demonstrations, organizing unauthorized demonstrations and even playing football in the street.

Sources indicated that some police were hurt in the incidents, along with protestors and others who were caught up in the events, although none of the injuries were serious.