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Barcelona Shack Settlement Eviction Sparks Activist Occupation and Political Divide

The forced removal of Vallcarca residents after a fire risk report has led to protests, building occupations, and debates over housing solutions.

Overview

  • Barcelona authorities evicted 13 residents from Vallcarca's informal settlement on May 8, citing imminent fire hazards following a recent blaze.
  • Emergency lodging was offered to the displaced individuals, but only five accepted, with activists calling the response inadequate.
  • Around 700 protesters rallied against the eviction, demanding long-term housing solutions instead of police-enforced removals.
  • Activists occupied a sealed building on Avenida República Argentina to shelter six people, including former settlement residents, as police prepared to intervene.
  • Political and neighborhood divisions persist, with left-wing parties criticizing the operation's lack of social measures and others supporting the eviction for safety and urban renewal.