‘It keeps growing’: the tent camp that stands against Spain’s housing crisis
An encampment is sprawling across Puerta del Sol plaza in central Madrid in protest against the ‘rentier economy’
TL;DR
- An encampment in Madrid's Puerta del Sol plaza has grown significantly, with over 300 tents set up to protest the housing crisis.
- The protests were amplified by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman, sparking anger and calls for an end to housing speculation.
- Campaigners are demanding government action, including measures to halt evictions and regulate rentals, with a specific focus on a royal decree expected on Tuesday.
- The movement draws comparisons to the 2011 Indignados protests but emphasizes a clearer goal regarding housing.
- High rents and home prices have been rising for years, impacting young people's ability to plan their lives and causing mental health strain.
- Notable figures, including film director Pedro Almodóvar, have voiced support for the protesters.