Spanish police arrested three members of a far-right group and fired rubber bullets in Madrid on Saturday evening after tens of thousands of people took to the streets across the country to demand action over the housing crisis.
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The Spanish government said far-right activists, some of whom performed Nazi salutes, attempted to reach protesters who had staged a sit-in at Puerta del Sol in central Madrid to protest the housing crisis.
Some protesters held banners calling for a general strike after parliament on Friday rejected measures aimed at addressing public anger following the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home in Madrid, along with other housing-related concerns.
“It is unfortunate. It only proves that we, the people, are the ones who have to adapt to political parties, rather than politicians adapting to what people want. This situation cannot continue,” said Nando de Angulo, 26, who took part in Saturday’s protest in Madrid.
Spanish media reported that Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez could call an early election in November following the failure to pass the legislation, and that he would assess the scale of Saturday’s protests before making a decision.
Sanchez’s office declined to comment on the reports.
In Valencia in southeastern Spain, protesters clashed with police, who fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Around 30 protesters entered the City of Arts and Sciences, one of Valencia’s major cultural landmarks, before police succeeded in removing them. Protests in around 50 other Spanish cities were peaceful.
Valeria Raco, a spokesperson for the Tenants’ Union, told reporters in Madrid that a general strike would be called after talks with labor unions.
The Spanish government said around 70,000 people took part in the Madrid protest.
Protests scheduled to take place in Barcelona and neighboring L’Hospitalet de Llobregat were canceled due to heavy rainfall.
Source: Reuters
