This man is our hero of the day. Amid the crackdown on protests across Madrid this week, which opposed yet another wave of crushing tax hikes and budget cuts, here's a beautiful moment of human solidarity. While police attacked protesters with rubber bullets and baton charges, Alberto Casillas stood his ground, shielding demonstrators inside the bar he runs and defying the police:

(Facebook via Occupy Chicago)

His action has made him a hero to the protesters. Not that Casillas shares their political beliefs: he was just furious to see police beating fellow citizens. He told the newspaper El Pais: "I am for compliance with the law, but above the law, there is humanity."

Learn more: There's a new threat to free speech and activism in Spain.