The counselor of Environment, Agriculture and Interior of the Community of Madrid, Carlos Novillo, has sent this Saturday a letter to the Government delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín, in which he demands to "lift the camp" installed in Puerta del Sol, alleging risks to the safety of the authorities and the staff of the Presidency, as well as possible difficulties in case of having to evacuate the square.
In the letter, which Europa Press has had access to, the counselor conveys to Martín the concern of the regional Executive about the possible presence of "people linked to organizations with alleged ties to others classified as terrorists by different countries and international organizations".
These warnings had already been raised previously by the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, during an event of her political formation, in which she demanded explanations from the Government Delegation about whether groups with "pro-Palestinian terrorist backgrounds" were leading the camp.
The Community of Madrid has now reiterated its "concern" regarding this situation, emphasizing that the camp is taking place in Puerta del Sol, a location through which thousands of citizens circulate daily and which is a "space of special institutional relevance" as it houses the headquarters of the Madrid Presidency, where authorities and public employees access and exit.
"The eventual presence of people or collectives related to extremist or radical organizations requires, in our opinion, special attention from the State Security Forces and Corps," indicates the letter, which also includes the regional Executive's doubts regarding the viability of evacuation plans in case of emergency.
According to the counselor, the camp in the square could become an obstacle when evacuating any of the buildings located in Sol, as well as the Metro and Cercanías station itself, whose surroundings are "surrounded by obstacles". Therefore, he appeals to the competencies of the Government Delegation in matters of security to direct and coordinate the necessary actions in order to avoid incidents.
At the same time, the Community of Madrid insists on its request that the pertinent measures be adopted to "lift the camp" in Sol, as the placement of tents and other elements "is damaging the heritage" and compromises the "adequate conservation" of the square.
Hundreds of people have been camping at Puerta del Sol since the end of September as a form of protest against the housing situation, after the eviction of Maricamen, the 87-year-old woman expelled from her home in the Retiro district who passed away this week in the hospital to which she was transferred after the eviction.