NEW : Thousands in Madrid 's Puerta del Sol plaza do a ` ` silent protest '' to protest this . NEW : ` ` The new year is the same , '' a woman says , claiming people are giving up . Similar protests are held in Barcelona and other cities around Spain . But Ignacio Urquiza , a sociologist who has studied the movement for the left-leaning Fundacion Alternativas , said there has been little big-picture change as to government policies and operations . The protests coincide with the anniversary of the launch of the May Day movement .
NEW : Thousands in Madrid 's Puerta del Sol plaza do a ` ` silent protest '' to protest this . NEW : ` ` The new year is the same , '' a woman says , claiming people are giving up . Similar protests are held in Barcelona and other cities around Spain . The protests coincide with the anniversary of the launch of the May Day movement .