Spanish activists climb bulldozer to halt housing demolition

UPDATE: Activists vow to rebuild the family’s demolished house, and many tweeted photos and videos of the efforts using #ReconstrucciON29:

Spanish police evicted and demolished a housing unit in Madrid Friday, resulting in protests and the arrests of at least 11 activists who attempted to stop the eviction.

The government reportedly expropriated the building for an urban project in 2010, but court proceedings temporarily halted the plan. Activists blocked a 2013 eviction attempt. A new eviction was ordered earlier this month. The building’s owners, who lived there since 1956, asked for two million dollars in compensation for the land. After lawsuits, the city offered $450,000, which the families rejected.

On Friday, one of the building’s owners said police arrived without warning. However, government officials contend the occupants were notified. 

After the eviction, activists tried to stop the demolition of the building by climbing the bulldozer: