Madrid Police clear Sol square protest Camp, make two arrests

A total of 334 people were removed from the square by 220 National Police officers and 180 Municipal Police officers. Firefighters, Samur, Selur, and Social Services personnel also assisted.

Police units including UIP, GOR, and GAC, along with aerial support, participated in the operation. According to police sources, all individuals present at the encampment were identified.

Currently, all entrances to Puerta del Sol are closed, and the metro stations within the square are also closed, with the exception of Preciados station.

The police reported the eviction took approximately 40 minutes, followed by a cleanup and removal of tents. City services will transport the tents to municipal depots for retrieval by their owners.

The government delegation highlighted the “coordination between the participating bodies and services” and thanked those who participated in the operation, stating it was completed “without violent disturbances of public order, under the principles of opportunity, congruence, and proportionality.”

The city government defended the eviction of the 26S Camp in Puerta del Sol as a “last resort” measure taken after a “gradual process” and following a loss of the protest’s initial purpose, leading to public order disturbances.

The delegation denied reports from the encampment organization alleging a “violent” intervention involving pepper spray and injuries. Police maintain the eviction was peaceful and without incident.

The government initially protected the fundamental right to assembly, citing a “common advocacy purpose.” However, they argue this right is not unlimited and that the circumstances and nature of the encampment changed after more than a month of protests. The departure of major participating organizations, the presence of homeless individuals and vulnerable groups, and alleged criminal activity contributed to a “concrete danger to people and property.”

Prior to the eviction, a series of warnings were issued to the protesters. On October 26th, former delegate Francisco Martín sent a letter advising that the time for conveying demands to society had passed. A second requirement, sent on October 29th, demanded the dismantling of the encampment. On October 30th, the protesters announced the dissolution of all organizing committees and the end of the initial advocacy, but a “residual” group refused to leave the square. Following reports of incidents in the surrounding area, the current delegate issued a request to restore normalcy, emphasizing proportionality and attention to vulnerable individuals.