Police began clearing the Puerta del Sol encampment in Madrid shortly before 2:50 a.m. on Tuesday. The operation was continuing without reported clashes or other incidents, with city cleaning crews removing tents and tarpaulins under the escort of National Police riot units. Nearby streets, as well as Sol metro and Cercanías services, were to remain closed until the work was complete.
The encampment had been set up on September 26 following a housing protest. The protest was prompted by the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, who left her home at the age of 87 and died a few days later. The Tenants’ Union helped organise the initial days of the camp before responsibility passed to committees.
Those committees had arranged a farewell event on Monday and announced that their activities were ending on Saturday. Some members had begun leaving on Friday after receiving a notice from the Government Delegation urging them to withdraw on safety grounds, saying they would no longer be protected. The notice was the second request from the delegation for the gathering to end. Around 600 people had left the square since the second letter was sent.
The committees said in a document that they intended to build a social movement in neighbourhoods and prepare for a general strike. The farewell event included a statement listing the remaining campers’ demands, but did not make clear whether they planned to leave. A group called the Association of Homeless People had also scheduled an event for Tuesday to present a popular legislative initiative.
Municipal cleaning teams, machinery, National and municipal police, firefighters and emergency service Samur took part in the clearance. The operation concluded without incident.
Sources: El País Portada.