In the early hours of Tuesday, both the National Police and Madrid's Municipal Police dismantled the 26S Encampment, a protest advocating for housing rights that had occupied the central Puerta del Sol for 38 days. The operation resulted in the evacuation of 334 individuals and the arrest of two who resisted and defied law enforcement.
Nearly 400 officers were involved in the operation—220 from the National Police and 180 from Municipal forces—alongside firefighters and social services. Madrid's Government Delegation described the action as a "last resort" following a "gradual approach," claiming the process unfolded "without disturbances or violent incidents." However, protest organizers accused the authorities of a "violent" response, alleging the use of "pepper spray" and physical force that left several injured.
The protest initially began on September 26 as a reaction to the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal, who had lived in her Retiro neighborhood apartment since 1956. Tragically, she passed away on October 7 at Gregorio Marañón Hospital, never having returned home, and became a symbol of Spain's housing crisis.
The Broader Movement and Its Impact
Originally focused on eviction and rent issues, the movement expanded to include antifascist, anticapitalist, pro-Palestinian, and LGTBI rights groups, as well as homeless individuals. The encampment outlasted the iconic 15-M protest of 2011, which lasted 28 days.
This eviction was not abrupt. On October 26, then-Government Delegate Francisco Martín issued an initial notice to the campers, stating that a "reasonable time" had passed to communicate their demands to the public. A second notice demanding a swift dismantling followed three days later. On October 30, the organizers themselves announced the dissolution of their structures to prepare for the general strike on November 11, organized by CCOO, UGT, and other unions, though a small residual group refused to leave the square.
Aftermath and Political Reactions
Following the clearance, city sanitation crews used excavators and trucks to remove the camp debris. Mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida estimated local businesses had suffered more than 30 million euros in losses over the 38-day protest.
The political response was swift. Madrid's regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, took to X, stating, "This is what Pedro Sánchez allowed for 38 days in the square of all Spaniards. It's either communism or freedom." PP leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo praised the eviction as "good news for public health, merchants, hospitality, and Madrid's image," asserting it marked a return to the rule of law.
Meanwhile, in Barcelona, the Catalan government has currently ruled out similar actions against the encampment in Plaça de Catalunya. Spokeswoman Silvia Paneque stated, "We don't foresee any action at the moment unless circumstances demand it."
Key Questions About the Puerta del Sol Encampment and Its Eviction
What prompted the encampment at Puerta del Sol?
The encampment began as a protest against the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman, highlighting broader housing issues in Spain.
How many people were involved in the eviction operation?
The eviction involved approximately 400 officers, including 220 from the National Police and 180 from the Municipal Police, supported by firefighters and social services.
What were the broader implications of the encampment?
The protest evolved to include various social groups, addressing issues like antifascism, anticapitalism, pro-Palestinian rights, and LGTBI advocacy.