MADRID RESPONDS: The chant "Eta escucha, asi esiomo se lucha" (Eta listen, this is the way we fight) rose above the ear-piercing whistles, rousing clapping and cheers as thousands of people made their way down Passe de Recoletos to Atocha last night.
All determined to show their solidarity against terrorism and support for the victims of Thursday's atrocities, they walked for hours in one of the biggest rallies Madrid has ever seen.
"We want to show our concern and our opposition to terrorism", said Andres Carrillo, who travelled from Alcobendes, a village 60 kilometres north of Madrid to take part in the march. "We have a deep pain in our hearts for those killed yesterday."
Some called for the death penalty while others chanted "Life imprisonment for terrorists".
Many were angry at the government and demanded action. Sixty-year-old Maria Sanchez from Arturo Soria in north Madrid said "Spain helped everybody and then nobody helps Spain". She said she was at the march to show her opposition to terrorism. "Next time it could be me", she said.
In the hour leading up to the march, many of the Metro stations around the city were paralysed by the crowds trying to get to Colon where the march began. Hundreds could not get near the stations' entrances, while more found themselves stuck on trains as they bypassed stations in and around the Colon area.
Crowds shouted in dismay as trains whizzed passed their stop. Many found themselves stranded miles from the beginning of the march and were forced to make their way to the rally on foot. Nonetheless the atmosphere was rousing as people walked in the pouring rain towards Atocha.
"This is our way to fight terrorists", said Jose Ignacio Garayalde from Madrid. "All victims are our victims, from Spain, from New York and from Haiti." Proud of his Basque surname he said: "I want to be free [from terrorism\] in this country and I want my sons to be free also".
A group of teenagers carrying a banner saying "Killers. Spain doesn't fear you" were united in their call for peace and justice. Sixteen-year-old Sophia Pozuelo from Madrid said: "I think the terrorists gave done a lot of damage and have caused much pain".
Her friend shouted, "We are finished with terrorists and we want peace quickly. We want justice now." Other people shouted, "Cut evil at the root."
One man said he didn't know who was responsible but blamed the politicians: "They are the ones who lead us," he said.
José Peña from the Canary Islands, who has just moved to Madrid, said he didn't know who the terrorists were but they must be brought to justice.
Despite the constant downpours many people carried lighted candles as they made their way down the avenue towards Atocha. "People feel happy that they can show how they feel and express their sadness", said one man. Meanwhile, Luis Fernandez who brought his children with him said the three-hour journey from the village of Majadahonda to Madrid was worth it to make a stand. "We want to show our concern", he said, "We want to stop this from happening again."