MADRID, March 9 (Bernama-dpa) -- Tens of thousands of people in Spain demonstrated for equality at rallies marking International Women's Day but also demanded an end to the war on Iran, calling for peace in nationwide marches on Sunday, reported German news agency dpa.
Many carried posters saying, "No to War!" and chanted the phrase, repeating the statement made by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez several times in recent days.
In Madrid alone, police estimated 35,000 people attended two rallies, mostly women, but also many men and families with children. The organizers said 180,000 people joined the marches.
Barcelona's local authorities said some 22,000 demonstrators came to a rally in the city.
Protests were also held in Bilbao, Zaragoza, the Mallorcan capital Palma and many other cities.
People at all the rallies criticised and mocked US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose armed forces have been attacking Iran for more than a week.
Some also slammed Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched over four years ago. And many also condemned other conflicts and injustices around the world.
"Today, on these feminist streets, we remember the women in Iran who are suffering from the violence of war. They suffered under the ayatollahs' regime before, but now they continue to suffer from the bombs," said Equality Minister Ana Redondo.
"At the same time, we also remember, among others, the Afghan women, who live as if in a prison where all rights are suppressed, as well as the Ukrainian women who have been fighting against the war for four years and see no light at the end of the tunnel," she added.
--BERNAMA-dpa
