Madrid authorities clear remaining occupiers from Sol square

The Government Delegation stated the action was a “last resort” measure taken after a “gradual process” and following the protest’s initial purpose being lost and evolving into public order disturbances. The Delegation, led by Pilar Trinidad for the past week, released a statement responding to accusations from the encampment organization, which claimed riot police used “pepper spray” resulting in injuries.

The statement makes no mention of the charges or the use of tear gas reported by the protesters, but according to the Delegation’s information to Europa Press, “the eviction took place without violence.” The encampment’s official account denounced the eviction as a “violent police intervention” by the National Police, allegedly causing injuries from “blows and the use of pepper spray.”

The organization communicated this on Instagram, stating the operation was “executed by riot units under the orders of the Government Delegation.” “We are currently working to check the condition and integrity of all comrades,” the post read. Several videos accompanying the post show National Police riot agents escorting people from the encampment.

This follows Monday’s announcement by remaining members of the 26S Camp at Puerta del Sol that they intended to stay until the general strike on November 11th. Most of the organizing commissions had announced their dissolution and relocation to neighborhoods over the weekend.

Approximately fifty homeless individuals had formed an association to remain in the square, though the commissions stated any initiatives by this group would be their own responsibility.

The Government Delegation maintains that the right to protest is “not unlimited” and that, after more than a month of demonstrations, a “change in circumstances and nature of the encampment” was observed. Specifically, they noted the withdrawal of major participating organizations and that many overnight stays were now by “homeless people” and “vulnerable groups.” This, combined with “alleged criminal acts and incidents” reported by the Madrid Superior Police Headquarters, created a “concrete danger to people and property.”

The Delegation clarified that the eviction was not sudden, but the result of weeks of mediation. On October 26th, then-delegate Francisco Martín sent a letter to the protesters warning that the time elapsed was “reasonable” to convey their demands to society and suggesting the end of the protest. After receiving no response, a second request was sent on October 29th, demanding the “dismantling of the encampment as soon as possible.” On October 30th, the protesters’ own representatives announced the dissolution of all organizing commissions and the end of the initial claim, despite a “residual” group refusing to leave the square.