Activists Take Part in ‘Hologram Protest' Against Gag Law in Madrid

Activists participated in the first hologram protest in history that took place in Madrid, expressing their opposition to the Citizen Safety Law in Spain, which would impose fines and limit public rallies.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The legislation, dubbed as "gag law," was passed in December 2014. It imposes large fines for a number of activities during protests, including photographing police, peaceful disobedience and not formalizing protests, among other violations. Fines range from 600 to 30,000 euros (from $635 to almost $32,000).

The Holograms for Freedom movement said on its website:

"This measure restricts citizens' liberties, and criminalizes their right to protest. Turning a right into an offence for which you can be pursued, detained, and judged."

The participants of the Friday event did not attend the march themselves but the holograms of them were projected outside the parliament in the Spanish capital.

The Citizen Safety Law gives broad powers to law enforcers. Police can prohibit meeting or gathering in front of the country's congress, conduct random identity checks and body searches.

Generally, the law entitles the government to prohibit any protest if authorities think order may be disrupted.

In Spain, only holograms and ghosts can take to the streets due to new repressive law #leyMordaza pic.twitter.com/nGVh0mm13n

— DRY Madrid (@DRYmadrid) 11 апреля 2015