Politics · Spain · 21 hrs ago
At least five detained after clashes near Madrid housing protest
On 12 October, clashes broke out near a housing protest camp in Madrid's Puerta del Sol after people arriving from the National Day parade gathered around it.
The camp had been in the square since 26 September, as thousands protested Spain's housing crisis.
The two groups exchanged chants, and police moved in to keep them apart as tensions continued in nearby streets.
At least five people were detained and one police officer was injured, according to the later account of the day's events.
Police temporarily closed nearby Metro and Cercanías entrances, but the station entrances reopened later that evening.
The protest camp remained in place, while police worked to keep the groups separated.
At least five people were detained and a police officer was injured during clashes near a housing protest at Madrid’s Puerta del Sol.
The clashes involved people at a camp protesting Spain’s housing crisis and demonstrators who arrived after the National Day military parade.
Police separated the groups and later increased their presence in the area.
The encampment had been at Puerta del Sol since 26 September.
Access to nearby Metro and Cercanías stations was temporarily closed and reopened later that evening.
- Who
- People at the housing protest and demonstrators who arrived after the National Day parade clashed. At least five people were detained and a police officer was injured.
- What
- Clashes broke out near the encampment, with reported provocations, assaults and bottles thrown.
- When
- 12 October 2026, Spain’s National Day.
- Where
- Puerta del Sol and nearby streets in central Madrid.
- Why
- The encampment was protesting Spain’s housing crisis. The sources do not state a specific reason for the other demonstrators’ actions.
Housing protest campers
Demonstrators who arrived after the parade
Reason for presence
Housing protest campers
They were camped at Puerta del Sol to protest the housing crisis.
Demonstrators who arrived after the parade
The sources say some had attended the National Day military parade but do not state their reason for approaching the camp.
Conduct and slogans
Housing protest campers
They formed a cordon around the camp; some chanted “Here are the antifascists.
Demonstrators who arrived after the parade
They surrounded areas of the square, waved Spanish flags and chanted slogans, including “Red dead, fertiliser for my garden.
The housing protest camp at Puerta del Sol began.
Demonstrators arrived at Puerta del Sol and tensions rose around the camp.
A further encounter occurred on Preciados street as demonstrators returned with Spanish flags.
Police arrested a young woman after people ran and bottles were thrown on El Carmen street.
Police reinforced their presence and moved people away from the square.
Access to Metro and Cercanías stations at Puerta del Sol, which had been closed temporarily, reopened.
- Location
- Puerta del Sol, Madrid
- Encampment began
- 26 September 2026
- Detentions
- At least five, according to El Mundo
- Police injury
- One officer
- Protest issue
- Spain’s housing crisis
- Date of clashes
- 12 October 2026
What people are saying
there have been “assaults and provocations
Here are the antifascists
Red dead, fertiliser for my garden
Sources
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