> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://barna.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Thousands march for housing in Barcelona - URL: https://barna.news/thousands-march-for-housing-in-barcelona/ - Published: 2026-10-09T21:21:32.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-09T21:45:05.000Z - Description: Thursday's march from Plaça Universitat called for housing measures as organisers focused attention on a general strike planned for 11 November. - Author: Barna.News - Tags: Housing Video: @sindicatlloguer / IG Thousands of people marched through central Barcelona on Thursday 8 October in a housing protest that began at Plaça Universitat, according to [El Periódico](https://www.elperiodico.com/es/barcelona/20261009/maricarmen-miles-personas-marchan-barcelona-135192053?ref=barna.news). The demonstration called for urgent action on housing and promoted a general strike planned for Tuesday 11 November. For residents and workers facing housing costs, the immediate consequence is a further series of organising efforts ahead of the November stoppage, with strike committees to be promoted in workplaces, education centres and neighbourhoods. The gathering began shortly before 19:00 with about 200 people in Plaça Universitat. Nearly 100 people from the housing encampment in Plaça Catalunya then joined before the march set off along Gran Via towards the Universitat de Barcelona. Demonstrators carried a floral wreath for Olga and Maricarmen, whose names housing groups have used as symbols of the consequences of the housing crisis. They also observed a minute's silence before resuming chants including, “We are all Maricarmen.” ## The Tenants' Union shifts work towards November strike The Sindicat de Llogateres, Catalonia's Tenants' Union, said on Thursday that it would no longer take part directly in the Plaça Catalunya encampment. It thanked those maintaining the camp and said it would concentrate its resources on preparing the 11 November general strike. > “We have to block the country if we want to ensure that what happened to Mari Carmen never happens to anyone again,” said Carme Arcarazo, spokesperson for the Sindicat de Llogateres. Speaking outside the Universitat de Barcelona, Arcarazo called for organising in workplaces, universities, neighbourhoods and municipalities. The union is demanding measures including open-ended tenancy contracts, an end to evictions and an expanded public housing stock. --- ## Unions and students join calls for mobilisation UGT, one of Spain's main trade-union confederations, joined the mobilisation and said access to housing should be treated as a major social concern. Student speakers also called for participation in the 11 November strike. Marta Espriu, spokesperson for the Confederació Sindical d'Habitatge de Catalunya, a federation of housing unions, urged the creation of strike committees in workplaces, education centres and neighbourhoods. The march later continued through Carrer Pelai towards Plaça Catalunya. People intending to take part in the 11 November action have been encouraged by the Sindicat de Llogateres and participating groups to organise locally through workplace, study-centre and neighbourhood strike committees. --- *Primary sources:* [*ub.edu*](https://www.ub.edu/revista-bcny2424-II-vivienda/2025/04/09/si-no-bajan-los-alquileres-huelga-la-protesta-por-la-vivienda-colma-las-calles-de-barcelona/?ref=barna.news)*,* [*diposit.ub.edu*](https://diposit.ub.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/c865af62-ab2d-4085-9eca-4615a3afcc61/content?ref=barna.news)*. Reported by elperiodico.com, barcelonapress.com, euronews.com, theolivepress.es, smh.com.au, ara.cat, elmon.cat, Catalan News, El Periódico Barcelona.* --- ### Related on Barna.News - [Updated: Three Evictions Set in Sant Cugat This Month](https://barna.news/three-evictions-set-in-sant-cugat-this/) - [Updated: Housing Rights Groups Protest in Barcelona After Eviction Deaths](https://barna.news/housing-rights-groups-protest-in/) - [Eixample Union Calls Protest Against Moritz Eviction](https://barna.news/eixample-union-calls-protest-against/) - [Housing Concern Hits Record High in Barcelona](https://barna.news/housing-concern-hits-record-high-in/)