Spanish State: Encampment in Struggle for Housing in València
Featured image: Protesters try to smash into a National Police van. Source: Servir al Pueblo
On Saturday October 3, thousands of people were mobilized in València against property speculation and rising housing costs, Servir al Pueblo reports. The march ended near the Palau de les Arts, where the Real Estate Summit 2026 was taking place, where speculators and landlords conducted business and exchanged strategies.
The protesters broke through a police cordon protecting the event and attempted to enter the venue – Some succeeding to get up the balcony, as seen in the photos below. The police used tear gas, and protesters threw barriers and other objects. Servir al Pueblo reports that five people were arrested and nine police officers were injured. A rally in defense of the five arrested was also called.
Servir al Pueblo criticizes reactionary and bullheaded elements of the organizing leaders in València for urging demonstrators to disperse or adopt peaceful tactics during clashes with police, as this leaves protesters vulnerable and weakens the movement. They say that on October 3, calls for a peaceful sit-in partly dispersed the crowd, though about 300 people continued resisting.
Later, protesters gathered near City Hall and voted in an assembly to begin an indefinite encampment in València.
The Revolutionary Committees have reported on their Instagram page from inside the encampment with messages against pacifism in the housing movement:
“Valencia encampment. Fear is about to change sides!”
“Let’s occupy the squares!”
On Monday October 5, a housing-rights demonstration in Barcelona drew more than 120,000 people. Near Plaça de Catalunya the attempt of the police to disperse the march was fought. The report says 13 people—including a minor—were arrested, and 30 officers suffered minor injuries. 28 barricades were also made, and 22 fires lit.
Protests have also continued in other cities.
You can read our previous articles on the struggle for livable housing and against evictions here:
