The center of Madrid faces important mobility disruptions this Saturday, September 26, due to the demonstration called by Sociedad Civil Española under the name of II March for Dignity, a mobilization that has among its main demands the calling of general elections and that its organizers also present as an act of support for Ceuta and Melilla.
The march will begin at 10:00 AM at the Cibeles square and will travel through some of the main arteries of the center of the capital until it ends in the Moncloa area. The organizers place the arrival around 1:30 PM at the Arch of Triumph, although the mobility restrictions will extend beyond the expected time to conclude the concentration.
From Cibeles to Moncloa via Gran Vía and Princesa
The planned route will depart from Cibeles, continue along Alcalá street towards Gran Vía, cross this avenue to Spain square, and then continue along Princesa to Moncloa. This is one of the most important traffic axes in central Madrid, so the Police will restrict traffic as the head of the march advances.
The Madrid City Council places the incidents and roadblocks approximately between 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM in Cibeles square, Alcalá, Gran Vía, Princesa, and Moncloa square. The times are indicative and may vary depending on the development of the march and the number of attendees.
The municipal authorities recommend avoiding private vehicles and using public transport, especially during the central hours of the morning, when the mobilization will also coincide with other planned gatherings in the center.
40 EMT lines will have detours
The impact will not be limited to those traveling by car. The Regional Transport Consortium of Madrid has scheduled modifications between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM on the bus lines that cross Alcalá, Gran Vía, Princesa, and Moncloa.
In total, 40 EMT lines will modify their routes, including 001, 002, 1, 2, 3, 5, 9, 15, 20, 21, 25, 39, 44, 46, 51, 52, 53, 62, 74, 75, 82, 83, 132, 133, 138, 146, 147, 148, 150, 158, 160, 161, 162, 164, C03, C1, C2, A, G, and M1. The EMT confirms that the changes will affect both the center and the surrounding area of Moncloa.
Numerous intercity lines that use Moncloa as a head will also suffer alterations, especially those connecting Madrid with municipalities in the west and northwest of the region. Among them are the 611, 611A, 612, 613, 651, 652, 653, 654, 655, 656, 656A, 657, 657A, 658, 658A, 659 and several lines from the 680 series.
Another demonstration will also complicate the center
The morning will have an added difficulty. The City Council has reported another mobilization planned between 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM that will affect Puerta del Sol, Alcalá, Sevilla, plaza de Canalejas, Carrera de San Jerónimo, Cánovas del Castillo, paseo del Prado, plaza del Emperador Carlos V and paseo de Santa María de la Cabeza.
The coincidence of both calls implies that for several hours a good part of the axis between Moncloa, Gran Vía, Cibeles, Sol and Atocha may register cuts or diversions. For those who have to cross the city by car, the City Council advises avoiding the affected areas while the restrictions remain active.
Why the march is called
The mobilization is driven by Sociedad Civil Española as part of its campaign Reinicia España. The platform claims to have the support of more than 200 associations and presents the call under two central messages: “Elections now” and support for Ceuta and Melilla. PP, Vox and other parties and organizations have shown their support for the march, according to the call itself.
The organizers place as the main political objective the early call for general elections and have invited public representatives to participate with or without their party insignias. These are the demands of the conveners and do not imply that all organizations or attendees necessarily share each of the positions outlined in their manifesto.
What areas to avoid
For those who do not participate in the protest, the most complicated time frame will likely be between 9:30 AM and 3:00 PM, especially around Cibeles, Gran Vía, plaza de España, Princesa and Moncloa. Buses may maintain diversions until 4:00 PM.
The main official advice is to use rail public transport when possible and check for incidents before leaving, as the bus lines that cross the center will be the most affected. The combination of two demonstrations during the same morning makes this Saturday a particularly complicated day to get around the heart of Madrid.