Police dismantled a housing-rights protest camp in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol early Tuesday, less than a month before Spain’s election on the 29th. The camp had been in place for more than five weeks, since September 26, and had become a refuge for people experiencing homelessness as well as a gathering point for activists.
The Madrid government said 334 people were removed without violence or disorder. Two people were detained on suspicion of disobedience and resistance. Authorities said 400 police officers took part, alongside firefighters and social-service staff.
Organizers gave a sharply different account, describing the operation as a violent police intervention and saying several people were injured by blows and pepper spray. Flor, a 43-year-old woman who had lived at the camp, told AFP that around 200 riot police entered at 3 a.m. and assaulted people. She said she was unable to retrieve her belongings, including her documents and phone.
The encampment followed protests over Spain’s housing crisis, which returned to the centre of public debate after the eviction of 87-year-old pensioner Maricarmen Abascal in late September. She died a few days later. The case prompted demonstrations across the country, including the occupation of the square.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called an early election after failing to secure parliamentary approval for two housing bills. The vote is scheduled for the 29th.
The camp had grown to include hundreds of tents, as well as a dining area, a library and an infirmary. On Tuesday morning, much of the square was cordoned off while crews cleaned the area.
Rising housing costs have made it increasingly difficult for lower-income families to remain in major cities, particularly Madrid. Idealista reported that the average monthly rent for a 50-square-metre apartment in the capital was €1,170 in October, nearly half the average gross salary. Landlords, meanwhile, have called for stronger legal protections and say evictions of tenants who do not pay can take months or even years.
Sources: Folha Mundo.