The protest, organized by the Madrid Tenants' Union, took place in front of 1 Carnero Street. Attendees chanted slogans of support for the resident, who, according to the collective, has lived in the property his entire life. This mobilization aims to prevent the judicial commission from executing an eviction that has already been halted four previous times.
The building is owned by the Venerable Third Order of Saint Francis of Assisi, which justifies the procedure by the need for renovation works. However, the Tenants' Union argues that the deterioration of the property is a direct consequence of “years of abandonment and neglect” by the owner.
“"We are talking about between 80 and 100 police officers to evict a 67-year-old man."
The area was cordoned off by a large deployment of the National Police, with up to eight vans deployed to ensure security. A spokesperson for the Madrid Tenants' Union denounced the disproportionate police presence. As explained, the resident has a debt with the religious order and has been trying to negotiate for over four years. The spokesperson lamented the owner's unwillingness to negotiate, attributing it to speculation and the pursuit of higher profitability.
The spokesperson also warned that two activists were prepared to jump if the eviction was carried out. As a preventive measure, the Madrid City Council Firefighters placed a crash mat in the street. The Tenants' Union emphasizes that the eviction would have an irreversible impact on the resident, who was born in that home and has always lived in the neighborhood, and that the lack of housing solutions from institutions is non-existent.
“"The clear culprits of this are, firstly, the Government Delegation, which was fully aware of what was going to happen here. Secondly, Pedro Sánchez, for not repealing the Gag Law, which suffocates the housing movement in every eviction. And thirdly, also, the Minister of Housing, who has been unable, in the biggest housing crisis, to implement any effective measure."
The spokesperson held various administrations responsible for the situation, including the Government Delegation, the President of the Government for not repealing the Gag Law, and the Minister of Housing for her ineffectiveness in the face of the housing crisis. She also pointed to the Community of Madrid and the City Council, criticizing the lack of application of the Housing Law and the absence of alternatives for Madrid residents.
In this context, the Madrid Tenants' Union has called for a demonstration on May 24 in the capital under the slogan 'Housing costs us our lives. Let's lower prices.' The march will start at 12 PM from Atocha and will go through several central streets, ending in the Sevilla area, with events planned for the afternoon in the Puerta del Sol. The collective has called for disobedience to actively resist the attacks of rentism.
