Barcelona City Council and community mobilisation have successfully halted the planned eviction of Ágora Juan Andrés Benítez, a public plot in the Raval district. The eviction, initially set for 14 March, is now postponed for 60 days.
Community Mobilisation and City Intervention
The plot, located on Aurora street at the corner with Riereta, is owned by Sareb, Spain's 'bad bank'. Local residents and various entities have managed the Ágora since 2014. The space is open to the public every afternoon and hosts activities on weekends.
Community groups organised several protests against the eviction. The most recent demonstration, held last Sunday, drew over 1,000 people and featured a performance by musician Manu Chao. Representatives also alerted Councillor Albert Batlle at the Ciutat Vella district headquarters.
Sources from the Ciutat Vella district confirmed they requested Sareb to "paralyse the eviction and open a dialogue to analyse and study the social function the space may have." Sareb confirmed on Monday that it approached the court on 6 March to request the suspension of the eviction. The accepted suspension is for 60 days, effectively postponing the eviction until September. This period will allow for dialogue between Sareb and the City Council.
A Vital Raval Community Hub
Iñaki Garcia, from El Lokal bookstore and representing the Ágora, highlighted the space's importance. He explained, "The Ágora is a very special project in a district where green public space is scarce and overcrowded." He added, "It was dedicated to the memory of Juan Andrés, and for 12 years it has been self-managed, proving that any conflict has been resolved." Garcia further stated, "There is no other space like it in El Raval."
The Ágora provides daily meals for homeless individuals. It also offers a green area with children's games. The space hosts various activities, from workshops to book presentations. These always occur during the day to avoid disturbing neighbours.
The Ágora was named in honour of Juan Andrés Benítez, a local resident. He died in 2013 following a police intervention by the Mossos d’Esquadra. The Raval district, part of Ciutat Vella, is home to approximately 48,000 residents. It is known for its high population density, vulnerable communities, and limited public spaces. This makes community-managed areas like the Ágora particularly important.
Dialogue for Future Use
During a public hearing for the district on 30 April, Councillor Albert Batlle addressed the future of the Aurora/Riereta space. He stated that the City Council debates "if it is destined for affordable housing or facilities." However, he affirmed the council "will continue to push for it to have a public use." The 60-day dialogue period will determine the long-term future of the Ágora. It aims to balance the district's housing needs with the established community use of this important Raval space.
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Originally published by El País Barcelona. Read original article.
