The celebration of the National Day of the Fiesta on October 12 has ended with moments of tension at Puerta del Sol in Madrid, where several far-right groups have concentrated in the vicinity of the camp for the right to housing with the intention of confronting its participants. The incidents occurred after the military parade held in the center of the capital, when some people coming from the events of Hispanic Heritage headed towards the central square, provoking verbal confrontations and forcing the National Police to intervene to prevent the situation from escalating.
The images circulated on social media show confrontations, insults, and provocations between both groups, while some participants displayed far-right symbolism and made gestures identified as fascist salutes. Among the slogans heard were "Out Pedro Sánchez," "Long live Spain," and "Long live Ceuta", on a day that had already been marked by boos and insults directed at the Prime Minister during his arrival at the military parade. The presence of these groups has generated concern among the members of the camp, who have organized to prevent the newcomers from accessing the space occupied by the protest.
A human chain to protect the Sol camp
In light of the arrival of the ultra groups, the participants of the camp formed a human chain to protect the perimeter and avoid possible altercations. The protesters positioned themselves next to each other, establishing a security cordon while chanting slogans such as "Here are the antifascists," "Out fascists," and "Madrid will be the grave of fascism". Verbal confrontations occurred at close range, with National Police agents deployed between both groups.
One of the most commented images of the day has been the participation of elderly people in the human chain, who positioned themselves alongside the other protesters to defend the continuity of the protest. One of the women present expressed before the cameras of the program "Mañaneros" from RTVE her rejection of those who tried to intimidate the campers. The participant criticized the newcomers for limiting their slogans to insults against Pedro Sánchez and defended the permanence of the mobilization in the square.
The scene reflects the accumulated tension surrounding a camp that has been set up at the Puerta del Sol since the end of September and has become one of the main focal points of the protests for housing in Spain. The participants demand measures against evictions, the rising cost of rent, and the difficulties of accessing housing, especially among young people and families with fewer resources.
The National Police intervenes and deploys reinforcements to prevent confrontations
The National Police has had to reinforce its presence in the vicinity of the Puerta del Sol to prevent direct contact between the two groups. Several vans from the riot police units have moved to the area, and the agents have established police cordons with the aim of separating the protesters and containing the incidents.
During the intervention, there have been exchanges of insults, shouts, and gestures of provocation, although the police operation initially prevented a widespread physical confrontation between both groups. The information disseminated during the day also points to police actions and arrests, although the exact number of detainees and the specific circumstances of each intervention have not been officially specified.
The events have also caused a strong controversy on social media regarding the actions of the security forces. Some supporters of the camp have questioned the police response to the presence of individuals displaying symbols and making gestures of a fascist nature, while other users have criticized the agents for limiting access to the square for people carrying Spanish flags.
The criticisms have come from opposing political positions. On one hand, sectors close to the campers have denounced a supposed permissiveness towards ultra provocations and have called for greater firmness to ensure the safety of the protesters. On the other hand, profiles opposed to the protest have accused the Ministry of the Interior of protecting a camp that they consider irregular. These assessments reflect the political confrontation surrounding the mobilization, although the display of a Spanish flag does not in itself constitute illegal conduct, just as the legality of the symbols and gestures used must be assessed according to the specific circumstances.
A campsite marked by the case of Maricarmen and the housing crisis
The protest at Puerta del Sol began on September 26, after a mobilization for the right to housing driven by the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, an 87-year-old woman who had lived for decades in her home in Madrid. Her case generated a significant social response and became one of the symbols of the movement against evictions and the difficulties of access to housing.
The death of Maricarmen, on October 7, intensified the mobilizations and led to gatherings and tributes in various parts of the capital. The participants in the campsite have maintained their demands and are preparing new actions, including a mobilization for housing scheduled for November 11, with which they aim to increase pressure on the administrations to achieve measures that facilitate access to a home.
This is not the first time that the protest has recorded incidents with far-right groups. On October 3, a concentration called by ultra organizations ended with three people detained after several participants attempted to approach Puerta del Sol. At that time, the Police also deployed riot units to prevent the protesters from reaching the campsite.
October 12 ends with political tension in the center of Madrid
The incidents in Sol have occurred during a National Holiday especially marked by political confrontation. The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has received boos, jeers, and insults during the official acts of the parade, while the leader of Vox, Santiago Abascal, has decided not to come to Madrid and celebrate October 12 in Ceuta.
The campsite had also generated controversy in the previous days due to its coincidence with the celebrations of Hispanicity. The Community of Madrid, chaired by Isabel Díaz Ayuso, has repeatedly criticized the presence of tents in the square, while the organizers defend their right to maintain a protest for housing in one of the most emblematic public spaces of the capital.
The tension recorded this Monday again places the Puerta del Sol at the center of the political and social confrontation, with a mobilization for housing that remains active and with opposing positions regarding its continuity. The police intervention has allowed for the separation of the groups during the incidents, while the campers maintain their intention to continue demanding solutions to the housing crisis.