Storyline: Thousands of university and secondary-level schools students on Thursday walked on streets in Madrid, Spain, in protest against Israel's ongoing military operations in Gaza. The protest, following the call by a host of student organizations and national unions to raise their voices for Palestine, was part of those taking place in more than 30 cities, from Galicia in the northwest to Granada in the south. Under the slogan "education against barbarity, liberty to teach, liberty to learn," the protests have encouraged students to cry out for an end to what they called a "genocide" in Gaza. "Today, our classes are empty and the streets of more than 40 cities in Spain are full of people, full of students, proving our dignity and proving also that we are in the correct side of history together with the Palestinian people," said Coral Latorre, general secretary of a student organization. The outrage at Israel's military action in Gaza rose further in Madrid, when news came through that the Gaza-bound flotilla that left from Barcelona carrying humanitarian aid had been intercepted by Israeli forces. Spanish activists were reportedly on board. "I hope they get home safe," said a protester. While the Spanish government has been critical of Israel's actions in Gaza and and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has openly used the word "genocide," protesters said that the government needs to do more, including an end to arms sales to Israel and a complete diplomatic break with the Benjamin Netanyahu administration. Shotlist: Madrid, Spain - Oct 2, 2025: 1. Various of students chanting slogan, marching on street with placards, banners 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Coral Latorre, general secretary, student organization: "Today, our classes are empty and the streets of more than 40 cities in Spain are full of people, full of students, proving our dignity and proving also that we are in the correct side of history together with the Palestinian people." 3. Students marching on street with placards, banners 4. SOUNDBITE (English) protester (name not given): "Angry, frustrated, everything, bad." 5. SOUNDBITE (English) protester (name not given): "I hope they get home safe." 6. Various of students chanting slogan, marching on street with placards, banners. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]