The Olzinelles case is due to return to the Barcelona Court of Appeal on Thursday 5th November, more than six years after a housing mobilisation in Sants. Two defendants face requested prison sentences totalling 12 years for alleged public disorder and assault on authority.

Residents and housing activists who wish to support the defendants have been called to gather at 9:00 outside the court by Olzinelles Absolució, the group supporting them. The hearing follows five postponements, according to Llibertat.cat's report on the case.

The proceedings stem from a mobilisation in February 2020 at 105 Carrer d'Olzinelles, where the Sants Housing Group and the Sants Popular School publicised the occupation of a building in which several families with children were living while facing a housing emergency.

Llibertat.cat reports that police intervention at the address led to widespread identity checks and criminal proceedings against two activists. The report does not identify the defendants by name.

Support group challenges police account

Olzinelles Absolució says the prosecution rests on police reports which it considers inconsistent with audiovisual evidence submitted by the defence. The group also argues that the length of the case has placed personal pressure on those prosecuted and discouraged housing-rights organising.

“Defending the right to housing is not a crime.”Olzinelles Absolució

The case concerns events in 2020, rather than the wider housing mobilisation now planned for November. The Thursday hearing is scheduled six days before a 24-hour general strike over housing and wages on Wednesday 11th November.

Housing and wage strike planned for 11th November

The central Barcelona demonstration for the 11th November strike will begin at 17:30 at Jardinets de Gràcia, according to an announcement reported by ARA. It has been organised by Ens Costa la Vida, the Tenants' Union, known in Catalan as the Sindicat de Llogateres, and the Trade Union Table of Catalonia, a coordinating body of alternative unions.

The organisations are calling for lower rents linked to workers' incomes, indefinite rental contracts, and an end to evictions where no alternative home is available. Their labour demands include a 35-hour working week, a €1,500 minimum wage and pensions, and pay linked to inflation.

Enric Aragonès, spokesperson for the Tenants' Union, said the organising work was already under way.

“The strike does not start on 11th November, it starts today, and it has already begun.”Enric Aragonès, Tenants' Union spokesperson

Supporters of the Olzinelles defendants can attend the 9:00 gathering outside the Barcelona Court of Appeal on Thursday 5th November. The strike demonstration is set for Jardinets de Gràcia at 17:30 on Wednesday 11th November.

Sources: llibertat.cat, Generalitat de Catalunya, Ara.