Ayuso asks justice that the police evict immediately the encampment of the Puerta del Sol

MadridThe courts are entering the equation in the mobilizations for the right to housing. The President of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, announced during the control session of the Madrid Assembly that she has taken the encampment at Puerta del Sol to the courts to have it evicted immediately. Thus, she filed an appeal this very morning, with urgent precautionary measures, for the Spanish government to evict the protest, after the Delegation in Madrid denied her requests. The Ayuso government denounces the "inaction" of Pedro Sánchez's executive regarding an encampment to defend the right to housing that "should never have been allowed." In the opinion of the President of the Community of Madrid, the protest is "exceeding the constitutional and legal limits that define the fundamental right to assembly."

In her speech at the Madrid Assembly, Ayuso resorted to her most brazen style. "If you don't mind, to your 'saltimbanqui' lordships with Macintoshes, please, at least clear enough space for the ambulances. I won't even mention the baby strollers and the ordinary life of the merchants, whom you are ruining."

Later, the General Advocacy of the Community of Madrid formalized the appeal. According to information from the Madrid government, it alleges that "the constitutional and legal limits" that "define the exercise of the fundamental right to assembly" are being exceeded with an "illegal occupation of public space." Ayuso's executive argues that the delegate of the Spanish government in Madrid, Francisco Martínez, has "regulated and imperative obligations" regarding prevention and surveillance and has no "margin of appreciation or discretion" to stop exercising them.

Likewise, the document argues that the encampment is causing an "evident and manifest physical and direct impact" on two assets of cultural interest: the Royal Post Office and the Oso y el Madroño statue. In the first case, with "people climbing" up the facade, "climbing through windows and grilles" and "exerting weight" on "architectural elements not prepared to support it". In the second case, with a "clear attempt to distort" the sculpture with stickers, ropes, and flags. Furthermore, it points to a crime of looting against cultural heritage, which should cause the Spanish government to act "immediately". The document also laments that the encampment "hinders the vision, access, and enjoyment of the protected space" and prevents the inspection of "certain areas", which "makes it impossible to check for other possible deterioration".

From the Moncloa, they have so far asserted that evicting the encampment falls under municipal jurisdiction. An interpretation that in no case is shared by either Ayuso or the mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, who has also requested that the police be sent there. From the Community, they specify that the obligations of prevention and surveillance to guarantee the protection of people, property, and institutions correspond to the Spanish government's Delegation in Madrid "without margin for appreciation or discretion". In addition, they claim that there are acts of vandalism and actions against the historical and artistic heritage of the Puerta del Sol taking place. Facts that are completely denied by those in the encampment.

This Thursday, after five nights of protest, the demonstrators continue to sleep in this central square of Madrid. The protest, moreover, is organized and the logistics function like a mini-city, as the tents have been distributed in such a way that there are spaces to move between them and a supply point in the middle. In addition, activities continue to take place there, and throughout the day other people approach to express their support for the protest, as well as onlookers who want to see what is happening.

Camping also at Plaça Catalunya

The encampment at Plaça Catalunya also continues today and the Generalitat government also rules out an eviction. "What we must do is be respectful of this mobilization," said the Minister of Interior, Núria Parlon, on RAC1. In her view, "it would not be socially understood" for the Mossos d'Esquadra or the Guàrdia Urbana to take action now.