Thousands of people are taking to the streets this Saturday in Valencia to demand the right to housing. The protest in the Valencian capital unites the defense of the territory and denounces touristification, elements linked to the right to decent housing.
Neighborhood groups, neighborhood associations and unions were the primary mobilizing agents in one of the most massive protests the city has seen in years. Under the motto “Valencia is not for sale”, residents are demanding to be able to live in a city that has made renting a luxury.
The protest demands, in essence, “that houses be reserved for neighbors”. No more new construction, no tourist apartments, but putting the properties at the service of citizens. “We demand that Valencia be declared a stressed city for rental and tourism, ban tourist rentals, protect the garden and stop evictions,” explains the developer known as La Mataobras.
Shouting “València s’ofega (Valencia is drowning)”, the march denounces the urban planning measures of the Valencian PP and, in turn, the demonstrators demand the resignation of the Minister of Housing, Isabel Rodríguez.
The demonstrators traveled through the historic center of the city, particularly saturated, and the most touristy neighborhoods, to directly express their rejection to tourists.
The demonstration, which began in the Serrano Towers and ends in the Town Hall Square, is still ongoing, marked by chants such as “Foc, foc, foc a l’especulació” – “Fuego, fuego, fuego, to speculation. » – “Being an owner is not a job”, “Tourist go home” – “Tourists, returned home” – or “Un turista més, una veïna menys” – “One more tourist, one less neighbor” – .
