Tens of thousands of demonstrators have camped out overnight in a square in the Spanish capital, Madrid, defying a ban to protest against the government's economic policies.
The protest began six days ago as a spontaneous sit-in by young Spaniards frustrated at 45% youth unemployment.
The electoral commission had ordered them to leave ahead of local elections on Sunday.
Police say 25,000 protesters defied the ban cramming into the square.
The ban came into effect at midnight and the crowds started cheering but the police did not move in.
The BBC reports the protesters are demanding jobs, better living standards, a fairer system of democracy and changes to the Socialist government's austerity plans.
