The Tenants' Union calls for a march on Saturday, September 26 at 18:30 from the Puerta del Sol to the Congress of Deputies. The protest follows the eviction of Maricarmen, 87 years old, in the Retiro neighbourhood.
The Tenants' Union of Madrid has called for a demonstration on Saturday, September 26 at 18:30 under the slogan "Not one more Maricarmen, let’s hold those responsible accountable." The march will start at the Puerta del Sol, pass by the Madrid City Hall, and conclude in front of the Congress of Deputies, as reported by elconfidencial.com.
The choice of route has political implications: Sol is home to the Presidency of the Community of Madrid, passing by the City Hall places the protest in front of the municipal government, and the end point targets the national legislature. The union holds the administrations responsible for failing to find a solution for Maricarmen's case.
We cannot continue to tolerate being expelled from our neighbourhoods and having our lives torn away. We are stronger than any government, judge, or landlord. We need you,” state the Tenants' Union.
The call does not currently include an official list of closed streets or a schedule of restrictions. Areas likely to be affected in the afternoon include the surroundings of the Puerta del Sol, the area around the City Hall, and the streets near the Congress, as well as the routes the march will take between these points. Those planning to travel through the city centre on Saturday from 18:30 should expect possible disruptions.
The mobilization comes after a gathering on Wednesday afternoon in front of a penthouse acquired by the Community of Madrid, not far from Maricarmen's home. Thousands of people gathered in support of the neighbour.
Maricarmen, 87 years old, was evicted on Wednesday from her flat on Alcalde Sáinz de Baranda Street in the Retiro neighbourhood, where she had lived for over seven decades. The police removed those attempting to prevent the eviction, and Samur paramedics took her out on a stretcher; she was later transferred to the hospital. The rental contract was signed in 1956 by her father; after his death, ownership passed to Maricarmen's mother and, years later, to her. The legal conflict did not arise from a failure to pay, but rather from how long that last subrogation could be maintained. A court initially supported Maricarmen, but the Provincial Court sided with the owning company, and the ruling became final. The eviction was carried out on the fourth attempt, after several postponements and failed negotiations. The City Hall and the Community of Madrid claim they offered residential or assistance resources.
The union frames the protest within its slogan "homes to live in, not to speculate" and demands measures against evictions. The event is set for Saturday 26 at 18:30 at the Puerta del Sol.
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