The campers in Palma do not falter: "We will continue here until housing is accessible and dignified for everyone"

PalmaThe housing encampment in Palma resumes its activity after the last few days of mobilization and the actions of the Local Police, who recently appeared at the site and identified the people who were there at that moment. Despite the police intervention, the activists are not faltering and assert that the fight continues and that they have no intention of abandoning the protest until a decent home is guaranteed for everyone. “We will remain here until there is decent, free housing for everyone. This is the goal,” affirmed one of the movement's spokespersons.

The representative explained that they expect the encampment to grow again over the coming days, as some of the participants have taken a few days of rest after an intense week of mobilizations and organizational work. They also highlighted that people who had not previously participated in the initiative have joined.

Criticism of the institutional response

One of the aspects that the spokesperson questioned is the response of the institutions to the situation of the encampment. In this sense, they point out that last night they spoke with the Delegation of the Spanish government to ensure that they were protected by the law and to prevent a repeat of an episode like the one carried out by the Palma Local Police a few days ago when they evicted them without notice or the approval of the state institution. Likewise, they conveyed their unease in this regard, as they consider that the protection of the right to assembly and demonstration must be materialized in some way, beyond just recognizing it.

Despite everything, the spokesperson has assured that the movement feels strengthened both by citizen support and by that of a part of the institutions, since many people approach the encampment to bring materials, food, or offer to collaborate.

Regarding the state elections of the next November 29th, the spokesperson has shown himself to be skeptical. “For us, the elections do not change anything”, he assured. In his view, economic policies do not depend solely on the governing party, but also on the international context and the decisions of supranational bodies. Although acknowledging that there are political formations that have approached the movement and supported them, he has insisted that the demand goes beyond party labels. The representative admitted that within the encampment people with very different ideologies and approaches coexist, but he pointed out that what is the common denominator is the fight for decent housing and the improvement of the quality of life of working people, “we want citizens to be at the center and not lobbyists”.

An encampment that also wants to be a support network

Beyond political demands, activists want the encampment to be a space for meeting and mutual support. For this reason, they have called on citizens to approach and participate in the movement's activities and initiatives. "We want everyone to join. This movement is also theirs. Here there is not only political struggle, there is also social work; we are a space for creativity, a support network, and we offer advice," they explained.

In this sense, they have encouraged people who are having problems with their landlords to come by and ask for help. Finally, the campers have made a call to companies and citizens to collaborate with materials to improve the conditions of the space. Specifically, they have requested pallets to raise the tents and prevent the rain from wetting the ground, as well as fences to protect the perimeter of the encampment. The spokespersons insist that the mobilization will continue as long as there are no real changes in housing policies, regardless of whether the encampment format is maintained or if the protest adopts other forms.