Anti-tourism protests in Spain turned violent on Saturday, October 3, as thousands took to the streets to demand action over soaring rental prices driven by high levels of tourism. In Valencia, nine police officers were injured and five people were arrested, according to the public broadcaster RTVE.
Clashes Erupt Across the Country
Footage shared online showed demonstrators charging at police officers with metal fences in Valencia, while riot police swung batons and fired tear gas and rubber bullets to quell the unrest. Around 50 marches took place across Spain on Saturday, calling for greater protection for tenants after the Spanish government failed to pass emergency housing legislation.
The protests come after years of growing anti-tourism sentiment, with hotspots like Barcelona even seeing visitors sprayed with water pistols.
Eviction of 87-Year-Old Sparks Outrage
The demonstrations were fueled by public anger over the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from her flat in the Retiro area of central Madrid. She was given only half an hour to gather her belongings and vacate the property, which had been acquired by an investment fund that wanted to increase the rent.
Around 1,000 protesters have spent the past week camped in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol in response to her treatment. "I haven’t managed to defend my home, but I have fought so that others can learn to fight for what’s theirs," Ms Abascal said from her hospital bed. She has since been offered a preliminary agreement by UrbaGestion, the fund that owns the apartment.
Demands for Rent Controls and Eviction Ban
Protesters are calling for lower rents, an end to evictions, and a ban on "vulture funds" buying property. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez had sought to ban the eviction of vulnerable tenants until 2030, but the measures were voted down, with some opponents arguing they would worsen the housing situation by reducing the number of available properties.
In Madrid, the city's Tenants' Union said there were 500,000 demonstrators, while officials put the figure at 70,000. One protester, David, told RTVE: "We're not here for pleasure or comfort. We're here out of conviction."
According to the property website Idealista, average rent prices in Spain have doubled in a decade, rising from €8.20 per square metre in 2016 to €15.10 this year. Some 26% of Spanish renters spend an average of 40% of their income on rent and utilities.
