Ayuso and Almeida demand the eviction of the encampment at Puerta del Sol

Madrid“Impunity, illegality and disorder cannot continue to run wild as they please at Puerta del Sol”. The government of the Community of Madrid, led by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, is raising the tone and demanding that the Moncloa evict the encampment that was set up on Saturday at Puerta del Sol, right in front of the Royal Post Office, the seat of the Madrid presidency. After the protesters have spent their third night there, the Madrid executive has sent a formal request to the Spanish government's Delegation to remove them within a maximum period of 48 hours.

“In the event of failing to do so, we will file the corresponding contentious-administrative appeal, with a request for precautionary measures before the corresponding judicial body,” warned the Madrid Minister of Presidency, Justice and Local Administration, Miguel Ángel García, in a press conference. He even threatened “criminal actions” against the Spanish government delegate, Francisco Martín. Likewise, he publicly denounced the “vandalic acts suffered by” the building, which is an asset of cultural interest: “We have seen graffiti and trash thrown against the facade and against the windows,” he said.

Six hours later, the Spanish Government Delegation in Madrid has confirmed that it has received the request, but has reaffirmed its “commitment” to “continue ensuring” “public safety” at the encampment and to “maintain protection” of the Royal Post Office. Sources from the body point out that Francisco Martín “demands” from the Madrid government “respect for the fundamental right of assembly”. In turn, from Moncloa they defend that it is a “civic” gathering and that, in any case, the competencies belong to the municipal police.

This movement coincides with calls from the far-right to attack the encampment. “A little bird just told me that tonight there will be a party at the door of the filthy ones. The 12 chimes?”, threatened Daniel Esteve, leader of Desokupa. Among the campers, a poster is also circulating that warns that “fascist groups are threatening to go” to the Puerta del Sol and calls to “defend” the encampment: “The landlords didn't kick us out, the fascists won't kick us out”. The call is at eight in the evening.

Madrid City Council denounces a “flagrant breach” of the law

The Madrid City Council has also made a move. Early in the morning, the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, demanded that the encampment be lifted "immediately." "Any protest is legitimate; what is not legitimate is protesting outside the norms of coexistence and the legal system," he stated.

In the afternoon, Deputy Mayor Inmaculada Sanz sent a formal request to the Spanish Government Delegation to "adopt the measures within its reach" to dissolve the demonstration: "It represents a flagrant breach of the legal system, significant difficulties for mobility, and a risk to the integrity and safety of people," argues the document, to which ARA has had access. "As this space is configured and occupied, in the event that an incident occurs inside or coming from the periphery, the lack of organization for a proper evacuation could have drastic consequences for safety and physical integrity," she adds.

In front of the microphones, Almeida accused the Spanish government delegate of "dereliction of duty" and of "not exercising the powers that correspond to him," warned that the city council is studying his "potential criminal liability," and challenged the protesters: "If they are so brave, let them go to the Moncloa, and they will see how long it takes the National Police to evict them.