The Barcelona Urban Guard evicts an occupied building in the Raval
This Thursday morning, the Barcelona Urban Police carried out the eviction of an occupied building in the heart of the Raval, in Ciutat Vella. The eviction was carried out by court order and was led by the Emergency and Proximity Reinforcement Unit (UREP), with the collaboration of the Mossos d’Esquadra and the Spanish National Police. The building, which served as accommodation for a group of thirty people, mostly immigrants in an irregular situation, has been recovered by the municipal authorities. During the operation, two people were arrested by the Urban Police and five more by the National Police.
Tension and problems in the occupied building
The eviction comes after months of tension between Albert Batlle, head of the district and city security, and the people who have occupied the building. The property, located in Plaza de Sant Josep, near the famous Boqueria Market, has generated security and unhealthiness problems, as well as complaints about incidents and public disorders in the area. In total, 35 people were inside the building, of which two have been arrested by the Urban Guard and five by the National Police. According to the council, the building had serious security deficiencies and had been the subject of previous eviction attempts.
La Tancada: a controversial social center
The occupied building, calling itself La Tancada, has been the subject of controversy since its opening in April 2018. The occupants have called it a ‘social center’ and claim that it housed more than 30 migrants. However, the authorities have intervened on several occasions due to incidents and problems related to the building. From La Tancada, discriminatory treatment towards immigrants has been reported and the way in which the eviction has been carried out by Barcelona City Council has been criticized.
Mixed opinions on the eviction
The eviction of La Tancada has generated mixed opinions. While the municipal authorities argue that the building had serious security and unsanitary deficiencies, and that there had been numerous complaints about incidents in the area, the social center has denounced discriminatory treatment and has criticized the lack of mediation on the part of the community. of the townhall. The situation has generated indignation in the neighborhood, which demands a more dialogued and respectful solution.