The platform Defiende los Corralones gathered this Wednesday outside the Provincial Court of Seville to denounce the violent practices of 'desokupa' companies and demand their illegalisation.
Dozens of activists gathered at the gates of the Provincial Court of Seville to denounce what they consider a "systematic real estate harassment" by eviction companies. The protest, called by the platform Defiende los Corralones, coincided with the holding of two trials related to alleged crimes committed by workers of these companies.
According to the organisers, there are around twenty such companies operating in the city, which they accuse of acting "outside the law" and using violent methods to evict tenants. "Behind these companies hide extremely violent gangs, many with connections to the far-right," denounced representatives from the Tenants' Union of Seville.
One of the cases that motivated the protest occurred on July 7 in Castellar Street, in the historic centre of the capital. Three employees of an eviction company were arrested for violently breaking into a tenant's home. The socialist spokesperson in the Seville City Council, Antonio Muñoz, described the incident as a "clear example of real estate harassment" and warned about the intention to "replace a school with a hotel and substitute social housing and facilities with luxury homes."
Another highlighted case is that of Eduardo and his family, who lived in a home in Sevilla Este owned by a bank. After being unable to meet the mortgage during the crisis, they negotiated a dation in payment and remained in the house with a social rent. However, when the property was sold to a company "dedicated to real estate speculation," according to the platform, two alleged desokupas showed up at their door and urged them to leave "willingly or by force."
From Defiende los Corralones, which includes the Assembly for Housing of Seville, the Anarchist Assembly, and the Tenants' Union of Seville, as well as individual residents, they demand that institutions illegalise these companies. "They operate with mafia-like and violent practices outside the law," they claim, and demand that the right to housing be effectively guaranteed.
The platform warns that more than a dozen trials related to violent actions by groups hired to coerce and assault tenants are expected. Many of these victims, they assert, have previous complaints that have not been addressed.
The protesters showed their support for the complainants and rejected any form of violence. The protest proceeded without incidents, although tension was palpable among the attendees, who carried banners with slogans such as "Get desokupas out of our neighbourhoods" or "Housing is a right, not a business."
This neighbourhood movement arises in a context of growing concern over real estate speculation in Seville, especially in areas like the old town and Sevilla Este, where rental prices have skyrocketed in recent years. The platform Defiende los Corralones has been denouncing the pressure tenants are under from investment funds and companies that, according to them, seek to expel long-time residents to convert buildings into luxury homes or tourist accommodations.
The Seville City Council, governed by socialist Antonio Muñoz, has shown support for the platform's demands and announced that it will study measures to regulate the activities of eviction companies. However, the Council reminds that housing matters are under regional and state jurisdiction, requiring coordinated action from all administrations.
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