Thousands of Spaniards protest for better pensions in Madrid

In this grab taken from video, protesters gather for a demonstration at Puerta del Sol in the centre of Madrid, Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019. Thousands of older Spaniards marched through downtown Madrid to demand better public pensions. (AP Video)

MADRID — Thousands of older Spaniards are marching through downtown Madrid to demand better public pensions.

Many protesters on Saturday held up homemade signs, including some that read “We are all pensioners” and “I’m old, not stupid.”

Retiree groups and unions have held protests across Spain during recent months to demand that the government make sure that pension payouts rise in line with inflation. They argue that the 0.25 percent increase in 2017 was insufficient.

Isabel Perez, 67, says “this is a fight that we have to keep going because our demands have not been met.”

Several striking taxi drivers joined the march. Taxi drivers have been striking for 13 days in the Spanish capital, demanding tighter regulations for those using ride-hailing apps like Uber and Cabify. /atm