The residents of the El Toscal area in the heart of Santa Cruz de Tenerife are staging protests against the squatters who have taken over two houses in the neighbourhood, as well as against the inaction of the police and the judiciary.
Scores of individuals departed from Pisaca Square and proceeded to the two properties that have been unlawfully occupied, one on El Greeto Street and the other in the adjacent Second Ravina passage, by a group of youths who, according to the locals, have instilled a sense of insecurity and fear.
The protesters banged cookware and pans to make a noise during their march, while two units of the Local Police were present in the vicinity for precautionary measures. Some attendees knocked on the doors of the two homes, which were tightly secured, amidst chants of “Out of the neighbourhood” and “No to Squatters“.
Frustration and powerlessness
Feelings of frustration and powerlessness were palpable during the demonstration, particularly when participants felt “entirely helpless and defenceless” due to the National Police, which is the authority responsible for dealing with such incidents, and the judiciary’s lack of action on the previous Wednesday to evict the Squatters, just one day after the second home was taken, and on the very same day that the owner lodged a complaint while providing official documents to prove ownership.
The residents have resolved to take matters into their own hands and have started to unite to organise actions against this group of youths, such as a cacerolada scheduled for Friday night. They are also considering forming community patrols and initiating new marches in the coming days.
A moment from the cacerolada on Friday night against the squatters who have taken over two houses in El Toscal’s Second Ravina passage. / María Pisaca
We will not stand for this
One of the demonstrators, Carlos Jiménez, made it clear to the authorities: “We will not stand for this situation. If the police are unable to intervene against a blatant illegality, then we will have to take matters into our own hands. We will not tolerate it, and that should be clear to all.”
This resident expresses being “shocked, deceived, and furious” with the reality that “we are facing a problem that extends far beyond the occupation of a few houses in the neighbourhood.”
“We are dealing with a public safety issue; people have threatened us with knives, behaving violently, aggressively, and defiantly; there have been multiple incidents,” he stated, adding: “Families with children who have always lived peacefully in this area are now faced with such powerlessness.”
A moment from the cacerolada of El Toscal residents against the occupation of two homes in the neighbourhood and the resulting atmosphere of insecurity. / María Pisaca
Cultural climate of fear
Only one Squatter threatened to vacate the property on El Saludo street when several neighbours knocked on the door demanding that they “be removed”. Ultimately, the individual retreated and closed the door again. “Such a climate of fear and concern has never been experienced in El Toscal,” remarked another participant in the cacerolada, Carlos Baudet.
“Since they moved into El Greeto’s house, they’ve begun to disrupt the peace. There have been days where the constant flow of people coming and going has been relentless, accompanied by loud music. We called the police; they knocked on the door, identified them but did nothing. This happened multiple times,” Baudet lamented, further alleging that disturbances escalated after this same group occupied the property in the Second Ravina passage the previous Tuesday. “Their behaviour is concerning and unsettling. We are terrified. Moreover, they are too numerous,” he clarified.
Not isolated incidents
While the whereabouts of the owners of the house on El Saludo remain unknown, the property had already been previously occupied by different individuals before this group of youths arrived. It is known from the outset who the family is that owns the house on the Second Ravina passage, yet this information hasn’t been sufficient to evict those who forcibly entered the property.
These are not isolated cases; there are numerous occupied houses in this Chicharrero neighbourhood that remain vacant. The state of neglect in certain areas of El Toscal stands in stark contrast to the efforts made by the City Council to pedestrianise this historic neighbourhood, revamping it to give it the vibrancy and development it rightly deserves.
One of the posters placed by residents in the El Toscal neighbourhood following the occupation of two houses. / María Pisaca
Protected properties
These involve two protected properties due to their significant cultural value, categorised as assets of cultural interest within El Toscal. Unfortunately, the fact that the owners of number 10 on the Second Ravina passage not only visit the property almost every weekend but also began the rehabilitation process with the City of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 2023 has not offered them any protection.
Alongside the cacerolada and a community meeting, residents have initiated the process of placing posters throughout the neighbourhood, featuring messages such as: “These are our houses, not yours. Leave the neighbourhood.” Another poster states: “Squatters no. Property monitored 24 hours a day by the community. Do not attempt to enter.”
