Distancing from Blocus Ahead of Saturday Protests
Representatives of the housing encampment in Plaça Catalunya, Barcelona, have publicly distanced themselves from the planned Blocus protests scheduled for Saturday 31st October 2026. Speaking to the press on Friday afternoon, members of the encampment affirmed their commitment to peaceful protest and clarified they are not affiliated with the Blocus movement. The encampment, which began on Monday 28th September 2026, will maintain a protection perimeter to prevent individuals linked to Blocus calls from entering the protest zone. This measure is intended to preserve the safety and non-violent character of the camp, which organisers describe as a community providing shelter and support for homeless people.
We are not leaving, we are improving the space,
, Kiara Monroy, spokesperson for the encampment
Demand for Tangible Solutions and Dialogue
While reiterating they will not dismantle the encampment until tangible solutions are achieved, the protesters have opened the door to dialogue with the Generalitat, the Diputació de Barcelona and the Barcelona City Council. They are calling for institutional responses that match the level of care currently provided within the camp, including 24-hour nursing, psychological support, three daily meals, shelter, and a sense of community. The City Council has counted 360 tents in the square, while the organisers claim the number exceeds 600. The encampment now fully occupies Plaça Catalunya in concentric circles and is fenced off with two designated entry and exit points. Inside, facilities include a kitchen with butane stoves, a pantry, a communal clothing area, a workshop with generators, a health point, portable toilets and a shower. Recent removal of awnings from the central area was not a sign of dismantling, organisers said, but part of internal improvements.
Security Concerns and Institutional Response
The encampment has reported receiving threats from far-right and ultra groups in recent days. In response, they have formally requested that the City Council restore lighting and other essential supplies to the site, arguing that vulnerable people deserve the same protective infrastructure as commercial areas. Meanwhile, the Mossos d'Esquadra have announced a level 4 operational deployment for Saturday, the highest level for public mobilisations, in anticipation of potential disturbances linked to Blocus calls in Barcelona and other Catalan towns. The operation will be coordinated from command centres in Sabadell and Barcelona, with specific deployments planned in Lleida, Badalona, Girona and others. Earlier this month, the Mossos evicted an occupied building at Calle Calabria 177, where homeless individuals had been living, citing a flagrant offence. This action added a criminal dimension to the broader housing conflict.
Support for General Strike, But Not Blocus
While distancing themselves from Blocus, the encampment supports the upcoming general strike on Wednesday 11th November 2026. They described it as a "legitimate and necessary tool" to highlight social injustices and pressure institutions. However, they stressed that street protests alone are insufficient without political follow-through, and called on all left-wing forces to engage in negotiations for real solutions.
Sources: Europa Press, catalunyapress.es, Redacción de Barcelona Press.
