Inspired by the Arabs in the spring, Spain young movement of 15 M is spreading in Europe (The Christian Science Monitor)

Madrid - tens of thousands of disenchanted unemployed young Spaniards have refused to leave the tent cities that they raised in the week in places across the country, defying a formal ban on gatherings before this Sunday's municipal election of.

Some call the movement of young people a "Spanish Revolution" - spread via Twitter and Facebook - reminiscent of the French student movement of 1968 that catalyzed by a social and moral reform unprecedented in Europe and around the world. Some commentators say that Arab spring arrived in Spain. Critics call it at the same time, an excuse for a large party.

Regardless, the so-called movement of 15 M, a reference to the day demonstrators occupy Plaza del Sol in Madrid, called for a political and economic reform in Spain and spread to 166 Spanish cities and other parts of Europe. Supported by similar plaza were organized through social networks online for Friday in at least 10 Italian cities.

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I am here against the system, against all, banks, the Government, the people's Party, unemployment. You name. Nothing works, "says Sabina Ortega, a student of journalism." "This is against a two-party system." And my goal is to feel represented. I want politicians to know that they don't listen, "said." "I will stay here as long I have to."

Unemployed young people

More than 21%, the Spain has the rate of unemployment higher in Europe and is also suffering from the worst economic crisis in decades, exacerbated by a series of drastic austerity measures.

One of the two persons of the age of work less than 25 years is without a job in Spain. They are nicknamed "the lost generation". Young Spaniards are fleeing to other European capitals to find work. However, experts say that this movement is not only work, but about feeling alienated and denatured.

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"It is an expression of discontent and this is understandable." The Spain had a change of generation 35 years with the transition to democracy, but it did not any mobility since, said José álvarez Junco, a respected writer, historian, Professor at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and an expert in social movements. "They face on a wall in their professional and personal expectations."

Sunday's election

The leaders of the people's Party, who see the election Sunday as leading to the eviction of the ruling party in the general election of 2012 have criticized the movement, while the Government and the Socialist Party tried to capitalize on resentment - even if apparently without success.

There is a certain arrogance by the leaders of the country. They forgot what happened 35 years ago when we, because I am one of them, came to positions of power at a very young age. "We must recognize that, but I doubt that this will happen because they reject them as a group of young, of rowdy", explains Mr. Junco.

But logically, the popular party will benefit from this. "More people decide to ignore the election and who has the right".

Polls before even OPA plaza already provided the Socialist Party, suffering from a serious defeat in power, lose towns and provinces he controlled for decades in the opposition of right-leaning people's Party.

Reminiscent of France 1968

But the ability of the movement to achieve a concrete change is unlikely, at least not through supported by plaza. The manifestations are heterogeneous and lack of leadership and clear requirements, apart from a complete overhaul of the system policy.

"It is impossible for a movement without requirements for success", says slate. "It reminds me of May 1968 in France." It is a component of the show, but also a great moral expression, a revolution, shaking of moral conscience, which is however not any political achievement. ?

The protests began last weekend when police removed with force a dozen tents to main square Puerta del Sol. The inflamed Madrid, young populated square, swelling number every day, in what is today a tent city feeds donations - food and blankets to electricity producers - to keep the movement alive.

United in frustrations, divided into message

It has attracted people of all ages and social groups United only by their frustration with the leaders of what many believe is an elite deaf corrupted for requests for change of masses.

On the main square, there was an image of a Nazi officer with the swastika and replaced by a euro symbol. Slogans were numerous: "this is not a crisis." "Fraud,""Don't vote for them," "you are all enemies," "we are not anti-system, the system is anti - us,"and "We will pay not for this crisis".""

There are also posters written in English: "Stop the new world order" and "democracy is our struggle."

The crowd increased their hands, palms forward, chanting: "they we are not." It is our weapons. "Another hit on the pots. He was playing the guitar, drink, dance and anti-system denigrate epidemiologic.

Almost everyone has a different ground or reason to be there and a different purpose. Some want a revision of the electoral system, others a revolution all azimuth other reform of the financial system. Some intended to vote, others will vote non-, and most said that they will reappear in protest.

"I am tired to be governed by people who are not me," explains Denis, a student in political science who refused to give her name. "We are all sick and it is the only thing we have in common." We want our rights back. ?

The election Thursday Commission prohibited a walk of protesters planned for Saturday, saying political rallies are not allowed in the week before the elections. Organizers, however, say they have no political agenda, and in fact they are calling for vote not and criticize all parties dominant to the Spain.

Late last Friday, the Group voted in favour of the extension of their support by plaza, but to avoid clashes voted against a March.

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Young and homeless (part I): find stability in school

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was produced with support from a New America Media fellowship to report on children in poverty in California, and is part one of a three part series exploring youth homelessness and education.

FRESNO, May 21 (New America Media) -- Every morning, Anissa Gutiérrez leaves her home at the Fresno Rescue Mission Emergency Family Shelter, located in an industrial area of central Fresno, and walks her three children to Lincoln Elementary School.

Along their brief journey, Gutiérrez , 8 year-old Lily, 7 year-old Gavien, and 5 year-old Deon pass the homeless shelter Poverello House, and a lot filled with small sheds that also house the homeless, called Village of Hope. They continue past the scattered tents and makeshift shelters that comprise the city's homeless encampments, and walk along the Highway 99 overpass.

Once they arrive at Lincoln Elementary, Lily and Gavien wave goodbye to their mother and then scamper toward the schoolhouse, blending in with their classmates.

Gutiérrez, 35, lost her apartment days before Christmas, and moved into the Rescue Mission shelter last January. School, she said, provides her kids with a few hours of ”normal life” during a period of uncertainty.

"I want them to go to school and stay in school for the rest of their lives," said Gutiérrez, a Fresno High School graduate who said that growing up, "I didn't know college was something I could actually do."

No matter how much Gutiérrez “hates” walking out the shelter’s front doors and facing the wretched surroundings, nothing will stop her from making the daily pilgrimage to Lincoln Elementary with her kids. Prioritizing their education, said Gutiérrez, means ensuring that “they don't end up here" later in life.

With 2,400 homeless students (more than 60 percent of them Latino), Fresno Unified School District has the second highest number of homeless students in the state, trailing only the Los Angeles school district.

"School is a sanctuary, and education represents hope and a way out of poverty for a lot of these kids," said Joe Martínez, community relations and outreach manager for the Fresno County Economic Opportunity Commission's Sanctuary and Youth Services, which provides shelter and resources to homeless youth.

"This is a place where they can come and have dreams and goals,a€

But even though many homeless youth and their families prioritize education, and despite federal and local resources intended to help them, barriers still exist. Only about 60 percent of homeless students in Fresno’s school district graduated from high school last year. Nationally, about 38 percent of homeless people have achieved less than a high school degree by age 18, according to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty.

With the recession leaving increasing numbers of families homeless a€“ and with education widely regarded as a cornerstone to future success and stability a€“ this adds up to a crisis that could have ramifications for decades to come.

In 2008, 224,249 California students attending grades K-12 -- or 3.6 percent of all public school students -- were reported to be homeless, according to KidsData.org. And according to the National Center for Homeless Education, the number of homeless students enrolled in California schools is rising at an alarming rate: 29 percent between the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school years alone. Neither figure includes children, or youth, whose lives are so chaotic they don’t even make it to school.

The troubles for Gutiérrez began late last fall, when she unexpectedly found herself covering the cost of rent and utilities for an apartment she and her children shared with a relative. Even with financial support from the county, she could not shoulder the full bill, and she lost the apartment in late December. The family was homeless by Christmas.

During that rough time, she and her three youngest children crashed at the homes of various friends and family members, always leaving before they had worn out their welcome. Despite their mobility, Gutiérrez did her best to keep her kids in school. "I was just trying to keep them on a stable track," she said.

When a room finally opened up at the Rescue Mission’s family shelter in January, Gutiérrez and the kids moved in. After constantly moving, Gutiérrez was grateful her children could go to school each morning knowing they had a steady place to return to in the evening.

"They get to go to school every day and I know they ate, I know they have somewhere to go home to," said Gutiérrez, who wears baggy sweatshirts and sunglasses pushed into her dark ponytail, and hopes to someday become a car mechanic.

Susan Cavazos was also thankful to have secured a room at the shelter for herself and her three sons. They had moved into the shelter after their apartment burned down, and they had lost everything.

Cavazos shares Gutiérrez’ faith in education. Her oldest son is enrolled in the Gifted and Talented Education (GTE) program and her middle child is an avid basketball player. "My hope is to get them through school, to get them through college, and I'm going to stick with them 100 percent," she said.

And like Gutiérrez, living at the shelter has only underscored the importance of education for her children. "Look around at where we are -- is that what you want?" Cavazos said she reminds her children.

Though the shelter is situated in a gritty part of Fresno, the interior is welcoming. There are nine bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, plus a front room that doubles as a chapel, and a kitchen with laundry machines. Much of the shelter is decorated with colorful murals, flowers and biblical verses.

"When you come in, it's comforting, it's relaxing," said shelter manager Robin Bump. "We want them to feel like they are safe and everything is going to be OK."

Demand has increased in recent years, Bump said. The number of families aided by the non-profit shelter increased from 154 in 2008 to 179 in 2010, and according to Bump, "there are more out there that need help."

Most of the families in the shelter are single women with children. Over the past year, at least 10 families landed in the shelter after the home they were renting was foreclosed upon.

Gutiérrez's challenges didn't end once she found a room at the shelter. Under the federal McKinney-Vento Act - the primary piece of federal legislation aimed at supporting homeless students - homeless youth can remain at their original school regardless of where they are staying, and travel there using bus tickets provided through the school district. They can also enroll at a school without having a permanent address.

But getting Lily and Gavien to their original school meant waking up at 5 a.m and taking two buses. Despite her commitment to maintaining stability in her children’s lives, Gutiérrez faced a tough choice. Eventually, she decided to transfer them to a school more nearby, Lincoln Elementary.

"It hurts my heart that I had to swoop them out of school and take them away from their little friends that they've made," Gutiérrez said.

It was a Monday night, and the kids had stayed home from school that day as they recovered from a hacking cough that was going around the shelter. Gutiérrez’ daughter Lily was bundled in a pink down jacket, even as she sat in the shelter's kitchen. Changing schools wasn’t easy, she chimed in.

"I have to make new friends," she said in a small voice.

To ensure that Lily and Gavien didn't fall behind at their new school, Lincoln Elementary and the Fresno school district provided assistance to Gutiérrez and her kids: A tutor helped Lily with her homework before school each morning, and Project ACCESS -- which assists homeless Fresno Unified students with enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school -- provided the kids with backpacks, supplies, snacks, and jackets.

Relatively speaking, Lily and Gavien have a lot of support: They have a warm, clean shelter with their own room; they live in a district that is recognized for its outreach to homeless students; and, perhaps most importantly, they have their mother. Will this be enough to help them meet the challenge of succeeding in school when they lack something as fundamental as a home of their own?

"Overall, children that are homeless are not performing as well as other students in their district, or as well as the economically disadvantaged subgroup," said Diana Bowman, program director for the National Center on Homeless Education.

But, Bowman said, there is still hope for talented, motivated homeless students. "Generally, for strong students, the impact (of being homeless) won't be quite as bad," she said. "If they are weak, struggling students, and have a history of school mobility and homelessness, it's more difficult to achieve."

It was evident that being homeless prevented Lily and Gavien from experiencing school as many of their classmates might.

Asked where he does his homework, Gavien responded simply, "I do mine in the car." Gavien, a goofy kid who enjoyed making silly faces for the camera, is still young and adaptable enough to think nothing of that.

"Sometimes we just go out (to the parking lot) and sit in the truck," Gutiérrez explained. "We just get tired of being here. We listen to the radio out there."

The kids also don't participate in school sports or other after-school programs while at the shelter. "Because we are here (at the shelter,) it is hard to get them into stuff like that, because there is no telling if we will be able to keep them in that school, once we leave here," Gutiérrez said. “That (hurts), but it has to be done. It's just easier for me, and for them, if they don't start stuff like that here."

It’s a concern that Cavazos shares. On that Monday night in January, Cavazos wore bright pink lipstick and a large, silver cross around her neck, but her mood was cloudy. “I don’t want to mess up my kids’ education,” she said. “That’s what they have. That’s the only thing they have.”

It was almost 7 p.m., so Gutiérrez and Cavazos led their children to the Rescue Mission's nightly chapel service, which, as shelter residents, they are obligated to attend. During the service, the residents prayed that Lily, Gavien and Deon would recover from their illness, and that everyone would soon find a home of their own.

"I just want them to be happy," Gutiérrez said of her kids. "I just want to take care of them. I can't spoil them, or give them everything in the world, but I want them to be happy."

"big Love" Ben Laden-style: more young woman knows the leader that killed al-Qaeda

The U.S. Navy SEAL team that killed Osama bin-Laden and removed a bonanza of documents and flash drives may have left behind another vital source of intelligence - bin-Laden's wife, Amal Ahmed Abdul Fatah. The story of how she found her way back to bin-Laden's hideout in Pakistan from Yemen could well have revealed crucial clues as to whether or not Pakistani authorities had been aware of the al-Qaeda leader's presence in their country. And if U.S. officials had been tracking her at the time, they may have found bin-Laden sooner.

The White House says that Amal, 24, was shot in the calf when she charged at the SEALs who burst into bin-Laden's bedroom, presumably trying to protected her husband. Bin-Laden's body and that of his his Hamza were taken away for burial in the Arabian Sea. But Amal was left behind along with her young daughter, Safiyah, who Pakistani officials say witnessed her father's killing. It is not clear how many of the dozen other children in the compound were bin-Laden's. Pakistani officials say bin Laden's wife and daughter are now recovering in a military hospital in Rawalpindi, and they have released Amal's passport photograph. (See "As Pakistan Pleads Incompetence, Tougher Questions Go Unanswered.")

The photograph shows a pale young woman with generous lips. In accordance with Islamic convention, her face is framed by a head scarf and she is wearing No. lipstick or make-up. Later Pakistani press reports suggested that bin Laden may have had several other wives staying with him, but his original spouses are believed to be in Syria, Saudi Arabia and in Iran, possibly under house arrest.

In 2002, Amal reportedly gave an interview to a Saudi woman's magazine, al-Majalla, in which she explained how, after the 9/11 attacks, she had made her way out of Afghanistan back to Yemen with assistance from Pakistani officials.

As bin-Laden's widow told her Saudi interview at the time, "when the U.S. bombing of Afghanistan started, we moved to a mountainous area with some children and lived in one of the caves for two months until one of his sons came with a group of tribesmen and took us with them." "I did not know that we were going to Pakistan until they handed us over to the pakistani government."

Shares of that account were confirmed to TIME in a telephone interview with an Arab woman who prefers not to be identified, but who knew bin Laden personally in Afghanistan and whose family formed part of al-Qaeda's inner circle. After 9/11, al Qaeda's leadership had decided to evacuate their families. She says: "all the families had to leave Afghanistan swiftly." "They didn't want their women and children captured." However, one of bin Laden's training aid in Yemen insists Amal never reached home. (Does Osama bin Laden's young daughter share his beliefs?)

After bin-Laden's young bride-Amal was then 19 - was turned over to the Pakistani authorities, she and her daughter were released and allowed to fly home to Ibb Safiya, a town not far from Sanaa, Yemen's capital, where her father worked as a minor civil servant.

Goal bin-Laden somehow arranged for his young wife to I him, with the kids, in hiding in Pakistan. In her Saudi magazine interview, she was asked if she would I her fugitive husband. Her enigmatic reply: "Let us see what happens." Pakistani press quoted officials as saying that Amal claimed to have been living with bin Laden in the Abbottabad safe house for five years.

With the benefit of hindsight, it seems that U.S. counter-terrorism experts spent years trying to decipher the name and the whereabouts of bin Laden's elusive courier when keeping tabs on his comely, young wife might have led them to him sooner.

Then there's the question of whether Pakistani authorities had been aware that bin-Laden's bride had returned to their country. Robert Grenier, a former Director of the CIA's Counter-Terrorism Center and security expert, says it's impossible not to imagine that the Pakistanis could have let Amal leave the country, and fail to detect her return. "the pakistanis would want to get her back home," Grenier tells TIME. "There are cultural taboos that come up with women." "They certainly wouldn't can't facilitate her interrogation by foreigners." (See "The bin Laden Raid: Pakistan Feels the Heat of U.S. Mistrust.")

So far, Pakistan is refusing to let U.S. officials anywhere near Amal, now under guard in hospital. Chances are, that won't change - cultural taboos aside, she may also know too many uncomfortable truths. Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani said Thursday that Pakistani is ordering all but the "minimum essential" American staff to leave Pakistan, a sign that the tense relations between Pakistan and the U.S. have worsened as a result of the Abottabad raid.

Pakistan's security establishment has long been accused of playing a double game, taking trillion in U.S. aid money while secretly select backing militant jihadi in Afghanistan and in Pakistan's tribal region. Even al-Qaeda types were expected to play ball. The Arab woman formerly connected to al-Qaeda says: "There was an understanding with the Pakistani army." We would get a tip-off that the army planned to raid one of our houses in the tribal area. "we would flee but leave some 'evidence' behind so that the army could show to the americans that we d been there."

While CIA Director Leon Panetta said this week that "either (the Pakistanis) were involved or incompetent." "neither is a good place to be." Attic suggests a more complex scenario: "I'm not giving an alibi for the Pakistanis, but it's virtually inconceivable that Osama and those close to him would have voluntarily allowed their presence to be known by Pakistani officials, especially given the large number of his followers captured by Pakistan." We don't trust the Pakistanis. "why should he?" On the other hand, he adds, "But if his whereabouts were discovered by the Pakistani officials, I can envision them saying, 'He's keeping a low profile, and if we turn him over to the Americans it will create a real fire storm for us'." (Read more about the CIA's rare public victory.)

Amal may be said to have leaped to her husband's defense during the raid, but her acquaintance interviewed by TIME remembers her SEAL as shy and meek when she was first brought to Kandahar in 2000, and was staying with one of bin-Laden's other wives. "she was new." She was out of place. The Sheikh's other wives were much older than she was. "so were many of his sons," the source claims.

Amal was his fifth wife. His first, Saada, never got over the fact that the billionaire's its she married preferred living in a simple hut in Afghanistan to a palace back home. In 2000, bin-Laden sent a trusted Yemeni help, Abual-IFAD, on the hunt for a new bride. As IFAD later told an interviewer, bin-Laden wanted his new wife to be religious, generous, well brought up, quiet, calm and young enough not to feel jealous of the Sheikh's other wives."

Despite the huge age gap, the Yemeni family considered it an honor to marry off their daughter to bin-Laden. The al-Qaeda chief reportedly paid $5,000 in jewelry and clothes for his teenaged bride who was then brought to Afghanistan to marry the grizzled warrior - already on the U.S. most-wanted list for his role in the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya. "To me, it's astonishing that she came back to join him [in Pakistan]," said the source with ties to al-Qaeda training. "None of the other fighters brought back their wives." Purpose did the Pakistani authorities know that she had returned from Yemen? With bin-Laden's wife now in Pakistani custody, the White House won't find out any time soon.