Spaniards urge final push against 'gag law'

Netizens argue passage of bill would increase police power and infringe on citizens' rights.

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Activists in Spain are calling on their fellow citizens to take part in a demonstration on November 1st in renewed protests against what they call a "gag law".

The controversial Protection of Public Safety act, proposed in 2013, is now making its way through Spain's parliament. Opponents say the bill infringes on the right to protest. They also argue that it gives more power to the police force.

Using the hashtag #StopLeyMordaza (Stop The Gag Law), Spaniards took to Twitter to denounce the act. Activist groups 15M, No Somos Delito, and others are encouraging people online to join the planned rally in Madrid

View the story "Spaniards urge final push against 'gag law'" on StorifySpaniards urge final push against 'gag law'Netizens argue passage of bill would increase police power and infringe on citizens' rights. Storified by The Stream· Fri, Oct 31 2014 19:16:45 Image translation: We are not a crime.#15M lleva a Bruselas la denuncia d la #LeyMordaza #StopLeyMordaza @15MBruselas http://t.co/21XzfwJBoO http://t.co/5DuGYE2F8P @Nosomosdelito15M HuescaThe image below calls on Twitter users to join Saturday's protest in Puerta del Sol, the main square in the Spanish capital.#TodosALaCárcel xa ell@s! Pero nosotr@s no queremos ir a la cárcel por sobrevivir o por expresarnos #StopLeyMordaza http://t.co/S6GK5IMJFQAsamblea Las Rozas@Soligato: On November 1st we go out to the street to exercise our liberty to gather and express ourselves. Image translation: Why should I be silent if I was born shouting.#StopLeyMordaza #MovilizarseSirve El #1Nov salimos a la calle a ejercer nuestras libertades de reunión y expresión http://t.co/erC5XhnZ7MCarlos EscañoHuman rights organisations also expressed concerns about an amendment on the proposed law that they say would significantly reduce the rights of foreigners in Spain by allowing police to reject any migrant at the border.Many argued that the proposed law doesn't protect the public.Become illegal to “offend” Spain, its monarchy, its govt, its flag, its hymns, and its symbols #StopLeyMordaza http://t.co/uUS2ioDXBqTake the squareStrong movement for #StopLeyMordaza in Spain. Criminalize #nonviolent protest is against basic democratic principles and human rights.Rubén Campos#Spain's "Citizen Security Law" translates in practice as anti-protest law and limits to democracy #StopLeyMordaza @Nosomosdelito #1N @hrwHélène Michou@Sergetsus: It's unfortunate that the government's response to the largest outbreak of corruption in Spain is to silence citizens.Resulta lamentable que ante el mayor estallido de corrupción en España la respuesta del gobierno sea silenciar al ciudadano #StopLeyMordazaSergioThe bill includes controversial measures such as fines up to $800,000 for unauthorized protest outside parliament. People who also take pictures of police during demonstrations reportedly may also face fines. €30,000 for "disturbing citizen security", whatever that means, with your "face covered", whatever that means #StopLeyMordazaThe AnarcyclistThe photographer's fine will be 1,000€ The lady's fine could reach 50,000 The cop? a medal #StopLeyMordaza http://t.co/6jKrqi5pb5 TR @PcpSolOkokitsme@Pablo_Iglesias: Laws to tackle corruption? They don't touch. Pursuing the citizens who protest? The government's priority. ¿Leyes para perseguir de verdad la corrupción? No tocan ¿Perseguir a los ciudadanos que protestan? Prioridad del gobierno #StopLeyMordazaPablo IglesiasSome called the proposed law a step against democracy.Of course there are differences in Spain, one is full colour the other in black and white #StopLeyMordaza http://t.co/2oP9pVHmsHTake the square@XandraZeta: Why is it so hard to have a democracy with freedom of speech in 2014? Who understands this?#StopLeyMordaza pero porqué es tan difícil llevar a cabo una democracia con libertad de expresión en el año 2014 ?? Quien entiende esto ?Xandra Hernandez@marianMasoto54: Democracy? No, dictatorship in disguise. ¿Democracia? No, dictadura encubierta #StopLeyMordazamarian Police Director General Ignacio Cosio previously called the Protection of Public Safety bill "a necessary law".