Police charges in Madrid during amnesty law protests

Protests against amnesty law erupt in Ferraz and Gran Vía

On the night of Friday, November 3, thousands of people occupied Madrid's Gran Vía and the area surrounding the PSOE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Party) headquarters in Ferraz. The mobilization against the amnesty law resulted in police charges, the use of tear gas, and the closure of one of the capital's main arteries. According to accounts shared during the protest, elderly people and children were among those affected by the gas, a detail that sparked criticism of the police response. The demonstration was organized from the outset as a street response to the ongoing political agreement.

What peine in Ferraz and Gran Vía?

Testimonies circulating describe protesters gathered in front of the socialist party headquarters in Ferraz, with a second group moving through Gran Vía until it was completely blocked. Reports mention thousands of people at both locations and the intervention of riot police using tear gas. The involvement of activist Bertrand Ndongo was also noted; according to shared descriptions, he faced officers peacefully. No official report on arrests or injuries is currently available. The closure of Gran Vía alone provided the protest with a level of visibility that previous demonstrations had not achieved.

Claims of police double standards fueling unrest

The most frequent argument raised is not about the amnesty itself, but about a double standard. It is claimed that the police response to these gatherings was far more forceful than in other incidents, with protesters recalling that water cannons were not used in Barcelona during previous riots. This comparison extends to the borders of Ceuta and Melilla, where, according to some opinions collected, police action was reportedly more permissive. This is a difficult line of analysis to quantify—as there are no consistent figures for interventions—and one that each side interprets to its own advantage.

Who is protesting and why?

The profile of the protesters is also a subject of debate. Some mockingly describe it as a loafer revolution, a label that summarizes the mix of political indignation and middle-class participants that, according to this view, dominates the rallies. In contrast, another current of thought maintains that the unrest is deeper and that the amnesty has merely acted as a trigger for long-accumulated discontent. A generational gap is also visible: some messages highlight that younger people view institutional politics with detachment, lacking faith that negotiations between parties will change their material reality.

The amnesty law and the standoff with the Government

The root of the issue lies in an ongoing negotiation. The parliamentary majority relies on a handful of seats—some speak of 33 deputies—making every vote a high-stakes standoff. In the exchange of opinions, broad international comparisons emerge: some place the Executive in the orbit of 20th-century authoritarianism, while others counter by pointing to right-wing European governments. The discussion often gets lost in labels, losing sight of the specifics: exactly what is being signed and in exchange for what.

What is known about the arrest of the son of the Constitutional Court president?

On that same Friday, news spread regarding the arrest of a son of the president of the Tribunal Constitucional (Constitutional Court), Cándido Conde Pumpido. According to circulating information—attributed to activist Alvise Pérez—the individual was allegedly charged with money laundering in a case involving 1.09 million euros, had received complaints from other judges for coercion, and was arrested on La Castellana for allegedly threatening a person at gunpoint. These are extreme claims presented without official confirmation and, at the time of this discussion, had not been established as proven facts.

With Gran Vía blocked and the Ferraz headquarters at the center of attention, the protest leaves an open question: whether the mobilization will persist or fade as negotiations pogre. No one is willing to predict how long it will last, and the official count of participants, injured, and detainees has yet to be released.