Famous Madrid squat cleared by police

Famous Madrid squat cleared by police
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By h.b - Jan 5, 2010 - 6:34 PM
The Patio Maravillas has established itself as a local cultural centre

The squatters now out of the Patio Maravillas - Photo EFE

Police on Tuesday moved to evict squatters who have been living in a building known as the Patio Maravillas in Madrid. The centre has been a centre for squatters since 2007 and is located in Calle del Acuerdo 8, in the university area of Malasaña.

It has become a local cultural centre and proved very popular, although many neighbours have complained about noise and mess. A group of neighbours even placed a video against the centre on You Tube.

Police, armed with a judicial order issued by Instruction Court 48 in Madrid months ago, arrived at 9am to be met by almost nobody but shortly after more than 100 people had gathered to support the squatters with the cry ‘El patio vive, la lucha sigue ‘The patio lives! The fight goes on!

Police removed three people who had been asleep inside, although generally that number is around 15. They gained entry as a person was leaving the centre. A similar attempt to evict the residents a year ago failed because of the pressure from the public.

Dozens of police controlled nearby streets and to stop any incidents. Those who had been running the centre called a demonstration at 8pm on Tuesday in the Plaza Dos de Mayo.

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