Spanish police brutally attacked hundreds of young people who were peacefully demanding affordable housing in a demostration in Madrid, Spain.

Police “in action” Image gallery

Housing protests continue in Spain

Last Sunday May 21st, Spanish police brutally attacked hundreds of young people who were peacefully demanding affordable housing in a demostration in Madrid, Spain. The youngsters took part in a spontaneous movement that started the Sunday before, when one thousand of young people sat on the floor of the main squares in more than 60 cities all around the country. In Madrid, for instance, between 1.000 and 4.000 people attended this first demonstration in the center of the city.

The most remarkable thing in these two demonstrations is that they were absolutely spontaneous, announced via e-mail or SMS. Spanish people, who have one of the lowest average incoming rates in western Europe, are forced to buy houses with 30 to 50 years loans, being these more expensive than those in France, Germany or other countries in western or northern Europe.

Spanish young generations are usually accused, among the seniors, of being indolent. Youngsters, meanwhile, accuse the older people of creating a country based in building and tourism industries and low-technology services, in which the high number of university graduates cannot find appropiate work. This mass of young and well-prepared people are usually named ‘mileuristas’, meaning something like ‘those who earn a thousand euros in a month’, something ridiculous after studying a 5-year university degree and that makes absolutely impossible to pay 50 years loans for houses prized 500.000 €.

Police “in action” Image gallery