The ‚Derecho al Techo‘ collective decided on Sunday to clear the camp set up last Tuesday evening in Plaza de La Feria in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, in order to focus its efforts on addressing 33 evictions scheduled for October in Gran Canaria, eight of which are due to take place next week.
«We are leaving the square feeling the weariness of the past few days, but also strengthened by having shown that, when we organise ourselves and take to the streets, we are capable of placing housing at the heart of the debate and of social mobilisation,» the group stated in a press release.
The organisation has announced that it will continue its social mobilisation «in neighbourhoods, in towns and on the streets» and has warned that the withdrawal of the housing decrees leaves many families «in an even more vulnerable situation».
Gran Canaria: 33 evictions come under the spotlight
«Every day we are hearing of new cases of evictions and imminent evictions that we must try to stop,» says Derecho al Techo.
One of the group’s spokespersons, Javier Marrero, told EFE that the platform has decided to prioritise supporting families affected by eviction proceedings.
«We’re leaving the square because we have to deal with 33 eviction cases and we have eight eviction orders this week. As we can no longer stop them with decrees, we’re going to try to do so through public pressure,» he said.
The group also stated in its press release that its aim is «to take the organisation into neighbourhoods and villages, organise meetings, create opportunities for participation and continue to build grassroots power from the bottom up».
Regional government to coordinate protection against evictions
Derecho al Techo has also called on the Canary Islands Government to coordinate its actions with other public authorities and the courts in order to prioritise the vulnerable situation of families affected by evictions who have no alternative accommodation.
It has also called on the regional government to designate areas as ‚tender residential markets‘ in those municipalities where the legal requirements are met, and to take ‚all available measures‘ to protect working families from rising housing costs.
He has also called on local councils in the Canary Islands to set up municipal offices providing information, advice and support for tenants, «so that no one has to face a tenancy problem, the threat of eviction or a situation of vulnerability on their own».
Housing crisis: Meeting paves the way for further protests
The group has also announced that it will hold an open meeting on 8 October to organise a new series of protests and to work, alongside other social and trade union organisations, on preparations for a general strike focusing on the housing crisis and other social demands.
According to Marrero, a decision on whether the camp will continue will be taken this Sunday at a meeting by those remaining in the square who are not members of Derecho al Techo.
Derecho al Techo has thanked all those who took part, those who donated food, supplies, water, coffee, care and financial support, and the residents of Plaza de La Feria, «for their support and for the sense of community over the past few days».
«Gran Canaria: Campaign against 33 evictions»
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