Repressive squat evictions in Barcelona

Yesterday Thursday 19th Feb, without any kind of warning (legal or otherwise), there was a massive squat eviction in Barcelona. A large squatted warehouse known as the Makabra in the poble nou district and home to about 20 ppl, many of whom are without papers were woken up by some 30 riot police and assorted other old bill battering the doors in at around 8.50am (7.50am UK time). The squat which has been in existence for about 1 and a half years, was home to a circus space with trapeze, a gym, flamenco and yoga classes, a cinema, bike and motor workshops and party space.

The antidisturbios (riot police) who came and were extremely heavy handed (it is alledged that they had been taking cocaine) arrested 4 people, non EU nationals, and gave the other residents about 2 hours to remove eveything from the site before closing it down. It was total chaos, with police, dogs and squatters running around, whilst people tried to collect their belongings and expensive lighting, sound and circus equipment amongst other things. All the possessions were dumped outside taking up the pavement of a whole street block, whilst the police shut the road down and redirected traffic.

3 of the detained people without papers were released later in the afternnon, with the 4th an Algerian (especially loathed by Spanish police) being let go after a 10 hour wait. This comes on the heels of a long spate of squat evictions in Barcelona with one (the Economato) actually being evicted and demolished on the same day! Ali Bei, another squatted block in the centre is due for eviction on Mon 23rd and means there will be another 30 homeless people from then.

The police, local government and judiciary continue their flood of repression as the opening of the Forum 2004 (a 4 month festival of "culture" which begins in May) grows closer. It is a repressive attempt to clean up the city, removing gypsies, squatters and any other desirables, as happened following the Barcelona Olympics in the early 90ś. Meanwhile, rents go through the roof and unemployment grows, leaving people with no choice but to squat for survival.