Thousands of people marched through the streets of Madrid on Saturday, advocating for the right to affordable and dignified housing.

The demonstration was organized by the Madrid Tenants Union and supported by multiple social collectives.

The march began at Atocha and progressed through notable locations including Paseo del Prado, Cibeles, and Gran Vía, concluding at Plaza de España, where a manifesto was to be read.

Organizers estimated attendance exceeded 100,000 participants, while the government delegation in Madrid reported approximately 15,000.

The event unfolded peacefully, with no incidents or police interventions, as attendees expressed their demands with chants such as "Madrid will be the grave of rentism" and "Housing is not for sale, housing must be defended." Protesters conveyed critical messages directed at the government, expressing sentiments like "Sánchez, tell me how it feels.

We thought you were Superman, now you evict families.

We will never forget."

The demonstration highlighted strong community involvement, with representatives from neighborhoods such as Tetuán, Vallecas, and Villalba, as well as members of the Platform of Affected by Mortgages (PAH) and groups opposing rising rents.

Carlos, a 35-year-old lawyer and spokesperson for the Madrid Tenants Union, outlined five core demands of the movement.

These include a 50% reduction in rental prices, a halt on evictions for vulnerable people, the illegalization of eviction companies, the reinstatement of indefinite contracts for tenants in good standing, and the regulation of the tourist market.

Participants voiced a shared sentiment of frustration with governmental inaction, as expressed by Pablo, a 26-year-old who stated, "Institutions provide no solutions.

There are enough houses, but too many speculators." Young protesters, like 18-year-old Emilio, echoed these concerns, demonstrating familial connections to the housing crisis without having rented themselves.

Symbolic bricks and banners addressing various housing-related issues were displayed throughout the march, including a petition against recent controversial remarks made by a political figure.

Organizers criticized public comments that they believe contribute to the stigmatization of those advocating for housing rights.

The Madrid demonstration coincided with a medical protest occurring on the same day, rejecting a new medical statute proposed by the Minister of Health.

Both movements intersected at Paseo del Prado without friction, signaling a collective perseverance in diverse social struggles within the city.

Before reaching Plaza de España, a small stage was set up to facilitate the reading of the manifesto.

Five representatives shared the platform, each highlighting one of the five central demands.

The atmosphere was one of solidarity and collective resolve, as slogans resonated through the crowd.

One speaker criticized the government’s housing policy, citing a particular program that purportedly allocated 35 million euros to rescue investment funds and banks, asserting a strong stance against the initiative.

A poignant moment occurred when Kevin, a 27-year-old member of a housing advocacy group, recounted personal experiences regarding eviction efforts, calling for resilience against oppressive actions.

His powerful message resonated widely and was met with a significant response from those present.

In Barcelona, parallel demonstrations attracted around 12,000 attendees according to local authorities, and organizers estimated about 100,000 participants.

The event shared a common demand for a 50% decrease in rental prices as echoed from previous protests.

Headlined by the slogan "End the Housing Business," the Barcelona march was organized by entities including the Tenants Union, PAH, and various housing federations, and saw participation from groups such as educators and firefighters affected by the housing crisis.