Protesters, police clash in Madrid

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

STORY: Thousands of demonstrators marched towards the Spanish parliament on Tuesday afternoon calling for a new constitutional process and an end to the government's austerity measures they say are depriving the people of their rights and jobs.

The process called under the slogan "Surround Parliament" is not intended to take-over the building, but rather surround it, demonstrators said.

At least 1400 police were deployed around the area near the parliament building and barriers were set up overnight in preparation for the demonstration.

The "Surround Parliament" demonstration has been organized by the 25-S (25 September) umbrella group which is comprised of a number of citizen collectives and groups that are part of the 15-M (15 May) or "Indignado" movement.

Although the demonstration only managed to gather small groups of protesters from different parts of the country at the beginning of the day, thousands more joined for the main march which was scheduled for 1530gmt from two meeting points in central Madrid.

Strict security measures were in place in the vicinity of Spain's parliament since the early hours and access to the fenced-off area near parliament was controlled by police who asked residents and people who work in the restricted area for ID and proof of either residence or work.

Protests against austerity measures are a usual occurrence in Spain as public anger against austerity measures imposed by the government of Mariano Rajoy has been mounting, especially after a new round of cuts announced in July which increased VAT and reduced public workers' wages.

Many Spanish citizens resent the fact they must bare the brunt of austerity measures while the government has agreed with the European Union a bailout of the country's beleaguered banking sector.