Madrid residents fighting gentrification via ‘musical protest’
More than 50 families are facing eviction from the building, which activists say they want to use as tourist accommodation. An unusual protest against this decision took place in Madrid, with musicians performing music both in the apartments and on the balconies of the building, aiming to attract attention, Reuters reports.
The four-storey complex in the multicultural Lavapies neighbourhood on February 3rd hosted performances of jazz, flamenco or poetry in each apartment, while protesters outside were chanting: ‘Neighbourhoods aren’t for sale, they’re to be protected.”
“As in other European cities, the gentrification of Madrid has been unfolding for years, pushing out local people as private developers turn homes into luxury flats and short-term rentals. There are now 62,580 beds in short-term rentals in Madrid, travel industry group Exceltur said,” the publication reads.
People living in this building say they decided to draw attention to the problem with such a protest, and also that it will be impossible to find another place to live with their salaries due to the rapid rise in rent in the capital, while living in this city is becoming increasingly difficult.
Rental prices in Spain have reached their highest ever level, jumping y 10.8 percent by 2023, with Madrid becoming the second most expensive city after Barcelona.
