Between 15,000 and 25,000 people, according to the different sources, took to the streets of Santander this Thursday to support the demands of the general strike. The organizers have estimated attendance at around 25,000 people, while the Government Delegation has lowered it to 20,000 and the Local Police have put it at 15,000.
The march started at 19.00 hours from the Cuatro Caminos roundabout and ended at the Plaza Porticada, completing the route under persistent rain.
At the head of the demonstration, a large banner was held with the slogan "Housing, wages, prices", carried by representatives of CCOO, UGT, CNT, CGT, STEC, student and Housing unions, as well as members of the Acampada de la Porticada.
Throughout the entire route, chants such as "Rent-seeking is not a job", "From north to south, from east to west, the struggle continues no matter what it costs" or "My landlord steals from me, and neither boss exploits me", were combined with the rhythms of a batucada that gave atmosphere to the protest.
Despite the turnout, numerous shops and catering premises remained open as the demonstration passed through and no notable incident was recorded.
At the level of Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the participants stopped briefly to reproach the City Council for the sanctions imposed by the encampment at the Porticada.
A little later, the moment of greatest tension was experienced near Vox’s headquarters on Calle Calvo Sotelo, where loud whistles and shouts of "Out with fascists from our neighborhoods" were heard.
Among the attendees were political leaders from the autonomous community, such as the general secretary of the PSOE, Pedro Casares, and the general secretary of the PRC, Miguel Ángel Revilla.