Valencia Residents Camp for Housing Rights After Large Protest
Dozens of individuals who participated in a demonstration on Saturday afternoon in Valencia have set up camp in front of the city hall to continue pressing for dignified housing. The campers spent the night in the square, establishing nearly twenty tents arranged in a circular formation. Alongside the tents, they displayed the signs from Saturday's protest, with many emphasizing the rallying slogan, "València sofega," translating to "Valencia is drowning."
According to some participants, the decision to occupy the square was made during the demonstration following calls and proposals circulating on social media. To sustain their presence, the campers have organized an open assembly scheduled for 6 PM today, during which they aim to maintain their occupation of the square throughout the day. They are calling for supporters to join them, prepare shared meals, and participate in various planned activities and banner-making.
The demonstration on Saturday attracted thousands, with estimates suggesting around 15,000 people marched through the heart of Valencia advocating for the right to housing while opposing the increasing tourist presence in the city. The passionate attendees echoed the sentiment behind the slogan "València sofega," a poignant reminder of the 1957 flood that devastated the city.
Organizers of the protest made several demands, including the regulation of rental prices, an immediate halt to evictions, the creation of a public protection housing park, and the suspension of residential sales to foreign capital. They also raised concerns over the impacts of tourism, calling for Valencia to be designated as a stressed area with a ban on tourist apartments. Furthermore, they insisted that hotel businesses must be strictly regulated.
Protesters advocated for a reevaluation of Valencia's economic strategies, calling for a shift away from tourism as the primary economic engine. They urged officials to end the promotion of Valencia as a tourist destination, halt the influx of cruise ships, and reconsider expansions of the port and airport.
As the campers persist in their demand for housing rights, their actions reflect a growing frustration among residents regarding the challenges posed by high rental prices and the overwhelming influence of tourism on local life. Their continued presence in front of the city hall serves as a reminder to the city officials of the urgent need for policy reforms addressing these pressing issues.
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