Anti-War Riots Across Spain

MADRID, Spain - Tens of thousands of students protested across Spain on Wednesday, demanding the government's resignation and calling for a halt to the U.S.-led war on Iraq. But violence marred calls for peace.

In Madrid, more than 10,000 students carried banners reading "No more blood for oil" and "Not a soldier, a euro or a bullet for this imperialist war."

Protests also were held in Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza and Seville, among other cities.

However, pockets of protesters throwing stones and bottles clashed with baton-wielding riot police in Madrid, Barcelona and Zaragoza. It was not immediately clear whether there were injuries.

In Barcelona, masked demonstrators smashed the windows of a McDonald's fast-food restaurant and a department store.

On Friday and Saturday, riot police fired rubber bullets and smoke grenades during running battles with pockets of protesters in Madrid, leaving more than 150 people injured.

Spain supports the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq that includes British troops. Polls show Spaniards are overwhelmingly opposed to the war. Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar defended the war on Wednesday in his fifth address on the subject in as many weeks. Spain has sent 9,000 troops to Iraq aboard three naval ships for what the prime minister has described as humanitarian operations. Medical units and mine-clearing experts are among the troops.