A protest has erupted in Malaga city over the sale of a building that once housed a migrant charity.
Number 15-17 Calle Ollerias was sold by the Junta de Andalucia to an Israeli investment fund, which is reportedly planning to convert it into tourist flats.
In response, around 30 members of the ‘Un Techo Por Derecho’ (A Roof As A Right) group locked themselves inside the building on Friday night.
The site was once home to Malaga Acoge, an independent association that helps migrants integrate after arriving into Spain.
Meanwhile, more than 50 people gathered outside the building in support of the protests.
‘The city is facing an extreme housing emergency, with people being left homeless every day without any solution,’ said Isabel Torralbo, a representative of the platform.
‘What we want are solutions for families, to change the course of events and prevent further harm.’
She said they are in negotiations with the Junta to reach an agreement.
In a post on X shortly before 10pm, the charity said: ‘The courage and determination of those inside are upheld by the support of those outside.
‘We still need your support to resist together! Bring an umbrella and something warm, because WITH RAIN OR THUNDER, WE’RE NOT MOVING FROM HERE!’
An earlier video message was recorded by protesters inside the building. The caption read: ‘Enough with evictions, enough with selling the city to Israeli funds.
‘WE’RE RECLAIMING THE SPACE FOR THE NEIGHBOURHOOD.’
Francisco Machuca, spokesperson for the Malaga Tenants’ Union, added that the sale was intended to ‘speculate on the building.’
According to Machuca, reaching an agreement with the Junta would be positive, but said he wants ‘public institutions to understand that the citizens can no longer endure this situation.’
The publicly owned building previously served as a children’s shelter.
Details surrounding the alleged sale of the building are said to be scant because ‘there has been no transparency in this process,’, with protesters claiming ‘the public is being kept in the dark.’
The Policia Nacional was dispatched to the scene, with a large number of officers seen working the area in footage shared online.
Protesters could also be seen waving Palestinian flags, with one seen draped from a window.
The Junta said the building ‘is currently undergoing an administrative process of disposal (a sale).’
It added that ‘the property does not meet habitability, safety, or sanitary standards. Therefore, the Málaga Acoge association has been relocated to another public building on Calle Palestina, by mutual agreement with the NGO, which had also been occupying the premises on Calle Ollerías irregularly.’
The demonstration has so far been peaceful, but protesters have vowed to remain inside the building.
