100 days ‘camping in front of Bankia’: “we’ll stay till they change
the mortgage law or arrest us”
by Mario Toledo Tuesday, January 29, 2013 en español abajo
Fifty people have spent 100 nights outside the headquarters of Bankia in Madrid, to protest against evictions. The campers fear imminent eviction as police visits have intensified in the past week.
Around a brazier, sheltered from the weather by a plastic tent and eating thanks to the solidarity of residents and businesses. So the night passed ffor about 60 people occupying the sidewalk outside the headquarters of Bankia, in Madrid’s Plaza of Celenque (a short walk from Puerta del Sol). They began on the afternoon of October 22 and they continue today on, fighting for the government to change the law and the banks to renegotiate the mortgages of people at risk of eviction. (Spain is perhaps the only country where the bank repossesses and evicts you for non payment but you still have to go on paying for decades).
On Tuesday, the Bankia celebrated 100 nights camping on the street, although the members of the protest fear evicted at any time: “Only if we will change the mortgage law or if we take to the force,” said Carlos, one of the most active members of the camp. In recent days, the police “have intensified their visits and intimidation, so we are preparing an imminent eviction,” said one of the crowd.
Losing your home is not only something material, also causes marital separations and social exclusion. But despite the difficulties, they are optimistic. Last week, the Platform of People Affected by Mortgage Repossessions presented in Congress over 700,000 signatures demanding the introduction of a Popular Legislative Initiative (ILP), with the goal of changing the mortgage law, cancelling evictions (now running at an incredible 500 a day in Spain) and extending the social rent payment as an alternative to eviction. “You have to understand that losing your home is not only material … it is causing marital separations, alcoholism, homelessness and only leads to social exclusion,” said Esther, a member of the 15-M, one of the promoters of camping groups Bankia. There must be some chance of success, at least fot those still to be evicted, the rightr to a home is even enshrined in the Constitution.
It’s much too cold, some have had to leave suffering from pneumonia and others have neglected their families “to address this struggle.” But consider that the protest is worthwhile. “Little by little they are seeing the fruits: we’ve got the social rent or
payment in kind granted for 15 families who have been here camping here. Although we had to occupy Bank branch offices to achieve it, “says Luis, who heads an association of the unemployed, .There were almost 6 million of working age unemployed at the end of 2012, and rising, worse than the Great Depression.
Patricia, 38 and a son aged 11, has avoided eviction from her home by a social rent. “I was about to end up on the street, alone with the child, but with the support of all we negotiated with Bankia. Now I pay 190 euros, paying costs me an effort, but at least it’s manageable. It was not easy, I went to push my branch, I spent many nights here, but that’s how thing could get achieved. If you do not move you get nothing “, claims Patricia. “Now I struggle to write off the debt: I still have to pay 251,000 euros. It is impossible, ” she adds.
Solidarity from neighbors and shops
Meanwhile, the campers survive with food and useful items that people donate. On a blackboard they write
what they need: coal for the grate, water, plastic cups and an old mobile phone. “Neighbors bring food and sometimes we get so many things that we just distributing it to other needy folks. We also have the solidarity of tradespeople: the clothes shop and the cafe next door give us hot drinks in the morning “, thanks Carlos while showing me his makeshift home:” Here we cook, sleep and here debate about injustices “.
Cien días de ‘Acampada Bankia’: “Solo nos iremos si cambian la ley hipotecaria o por la fuerza”
por Mario Toledo Martes, 29 de Enero de 2013
Este martes, la Acampada Bankia cumple 100 noches en la calle, aunque los integrantes de la protesta temen que en cualquier momento los desalojen: “Solo nos iremos si cambian la ley hipotecaria o si nos echan a la fuerza”, explica Carlos, uno de los miembros más activos del campamento. En los últimos días, la Policía “ha intensificado las visitas en plan intimidatorio, por lo que creemos que están preparando un desalojo inminente“, explica otro de los congregados . Perder la casa no es solo algo material; también provoca separaciones matrimoniales y exclusión socialSin embargo, pese a las dificultades, son optimistas. La semana pasada, la Plataforma de Afectados por la Hipotecapresentó en el Congreso más de 700.000 firmas para solicitar la tramitación de una Iniciativa Legislativa Popular (ILP), con el objetivo de cambiar la ley hipotecaria, introducir la dación en pago y extender el alquiler social como alternativa a los desahucios. “Tienen que entender que perder la casa no es algo solamente material… está provocando separaciones matrimoniales, alcoholismo, mendicidad y solo conduce a la exclusión social“, apunta Esther, integrante del 15-M, otro de los colectivos promotores de Acampada Bankia.
Pasan frío, algunos han tenido que abandonar aquejados por neumonías y otros han dejado de lado a sus familias “por atender esta lucha”. Pero consideran que la protesta está mereciendo la pena. “Poco a poco se van viendo los frutos: ya hemos conseguido el alquiler social o la dación en pago para 15 familias que han estado aquí acampadas. Aunque para lograrlo hemos tenido incluso que encerrarnos en sucursales”, asegura Luis, que preside una asociación de desempleados. Patricia, de 38 años y con un hijo de 11, ha esquivado el desahucio de su vivienda gracias a un alquiler social. “Estaba a punto de quedarme en la calle, sola con el niño, pero con el apoyo de todos conseguimos negociar con Bankia. Ahora pago 190 euros de alquiler; me cuesta un esfuerzo, pero al menos es asumible. No fue fácil, fui a presionar a mi sucursal, pasé muchas noches aquí, pero así es como se consiguen las cosas. Si no te mueves no consigues nada”, reivindica Patricia. “Ahora lucho para que me condonen la deuda: todavía me queda por pagar 251.000 euros. Es imposible”, añade.
Solidaridad de vecinos y comercios Mientras, los acampados sobreviven con los alimentos y objetos útiles que les dona la gente. En una pizarra indican lo que necesitan: carbón para el brasero, agua, vasos de plástico y un teléfono móvil viejo. “Los vecinos nos traen comida y a veces recibimos tantas cosas que acabamos repartiéndola a personas necesitadas. También contamos con la solidaridad de los comercios: la tienda de disfraces y la cafetería de al lado nos dan cosas calientes por la mañana”, agradece Carlos mientras enseña su improvisado hogar: “Aquí cocinamos, aquí dormimos y aquí debatimos sobre las injusticias”.
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