Pots and pans, metal bottles, plastic food containers, sets of keys and whistles were used in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to make the clang of pots and pans heard at 8.00 pm local time, with dozens of people taking part to demand the right to decent housing ahead of the parliamentary groups‘ vote to ratify the Government’s decrees.
The protest, which was also organised this Thursday in other Spanish cities and called in Las Palmas by Derecho al Techo – a group that has been camped in Plaza de La Feria since last Tuesday – was accompanied by slogans such as «The Canary Islands are not for sale; they are to be loved and defended», «No homes without people, no people without homes» and «The Canary Islands Government is a property developer».
The afternoon passed in the square amidst the comings and goings of children playing there, just as they do on any other day, although this time the everyday goings-on were interspersed with the dozens of tents that had been set up.
Housing protest: Tent camp in Las Palmas continues to grow
«Let the Canary Islands Government and the City Council hear our anger, and let them not be able to say they didn’t listen to us,» said one of the spokespeople during the pot-and-pan protest in the capital of Gran Canaria, where, according to the organisers, there are already around 60 tents and 120 people camped out.
The organisation says that the protest has grown since the first night and that every day it receives more support from local residents, donations and new people keen to join the protest.
«We believe we are truly responding to a widespread feeling that housing is unaffordable and that it is a right,» Mari Fe Navarro, a member of Derecho al Techo, explained to EFE.
The group is keeping up the pressure ahead of this Friday’s vote in Parliament on the housing decrees put forward by the Government and is also calling for specific measures for the Canary Islands, including the designation of areas under pressure and the implementation of regional policies to halt evictions and keep rent prices in check.
Evictions: Natalia's case highlights the impact of the protest
During the pot-and-pan protest, the organisers highlighted the case of Natalia, a resident of Las Rehoyas who was facing eviction proceedings that were temporarily halted following public mobilisation.
«Parliament must ratify the housing decrees approved by the Government, which include measures to protect against evictions, regulate rents and provide greater stability for those of us who live in rented accommodation,» read one of the participants.
The camp brings together working people, students and families
One of the spokespeople for Derecho al Techo, Javier Marrero, has pointed out that the camp is being attended by young people who are studying or working but are unable to leave home, and families affected by rising rents and difficulties in accessing housing; however, he added that there are also people and local residents who are taking part in the activities even though they do not sleep in the tents.
Marrero has pointed out that although some people think those camping out are «layabouts» or «hippies», «they are people who study, who then work as waiters or carers, and come home utterly knackered; they have come here because they realise that, even though they have money, they cannot afford the rent».
Housing protest organisers are planning a lecture, a live broadcast and a demonstration
Tomorrow, lecturers from the Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) will hold an open lecture in the Plaza de la Feria entitled ‚Understanding how to transform housing exclusion into the right to housing for all‘.
They will then follow the parliamentary vote live and, depending on the result, consider the group’s response; as one of the spokespeople indicated during the pot-banging protest, the group has decided to remain in the square until Sunday.
They will also go ahead with the demonstration planned for Saturday to, as the spokesperson for Derecho al Techo points out, demand «that housing be recognised as a right and that the profiteering by vulture funds and major rentiers be brought to an end».
«Gran Canaria: Housing protest involves 60 tents and 120 people»
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