Thousands of people have had their keys ring out this Wednesday in Santiago de Compostela and have demanded "decent housing", as part of the general strike of this 11 November. The day has also taken the working class onto the streets in other Galician cities, with a large-scale protest in Vigo despite heavy rain.
The march in the Galician capital, driven by the Comité de Folga Territorial, the CIG, CC.OO, UGT, and the Plataforma Galega Vivenda Xa!, began at 18.00 hours in the Praza do Obradoiro, where the camp has continued to be set up in defense of the right to housing.
The head of the mobilization advanced behind a banner with the slogan "11 N contra o rendismo e o capital folga xeral". At the cry of "general strike" and "what's going on?, what's going on?, we don't have a house", the attendees walked through the streets of the Ensanche in Compostela until they reached the Avenida Romero Donallo.
At that point, a manifesto was read out in which the "rentiers, funds and entrepreneurs" were singled out as those who enrich themselves with the "wage of the working class and with their houses." "That is why we organize ourselves, that is why we demand housing, cities and towns for the neighbors, and working conditions that allow us to live," the conveners emphasized.
In the text they insisted that having a home "is a basic need", such that being able to access housing or keep it has become "a constant anguish for many people".
Demands of the Vivenda Union
Next, the Vivenda Union demanded effective regulation of rental prices, an increase in the SMI, indefinite contracts that "allow us to live with stability", and "permanent protection for protected housing".
"The property of those who speculate cannot be worth more than the life of those who need a house," they emphasized, also calling for the "expropriation" of properties held by financial entities, large owners, investment funds, and the church, along with the halt of evictions.
They defended that "this 11N is a starting point: we call on neighbors to organize in the neighborhoods, in housing unions, and in workplaces, to practice mutual support and to keep up the mobilization to make these rights effective".
The mobilization has passed without incidents. When the column reached rúa do Hórreo, a neighbor has shown a flag of Spain from a window, which has generated a resounding response of whistles and honks among the protesters.
The protest has been considered concluded around 20.30 hours this Wednesday and, on the way back, the attendees have filled Avenida Rosalía de Castro, where they have continued to shout slogans.
In the same time frame, similar gatherings have taken place in other parts of Galicia, such as A Coruña, Ferrol, Lugo, Ourense, and Vigo.