Retired Doctor Shelters Badalona Evictees

Quick Summary

Following the eviction of the former B9 institute in Badalona, retired doctor Ángela Valeiras provided shelter to two displaced individuals. While she did not physically attend the eviction, Valeiras monitored the events closely, characterizing the treatment of the over one hundred residents as a 'savagery.' She expressed shock at the level of poverty visible within the city, comparing it to conditions she witnessed in India.

Valeiras faced direct hostility from neighbors who shouted 'take them home,' yet she proceeded to offer sanctuary. Her family expressed more fear regarding the neighbors' 'hate speech' than the presence of the evicted individuals. Valeiras views her actions as a necessary humanitarian gesture, emphasizing the need for advocacy.

Reaction to the Eviction

Ángela Valeiras followed the events at the former B9 institute in Badalona from her home. She chose not to approach the enclosure on Wednesday morning, stating she did not feel strong enough to go. However, she remained attentive to the developments throughout the day. Valeiras described the scene as a 'salvajada' or savagery, expressing disbelief and immense sadness.

The presence of more than a hundred people without temporary housing prospects, seemingly abandoned by the administration, left her paralyzed. She compared the visible misery to her travels in India, noting that such poverty in a city like Badalona was 'shameful.' This observation formed the basis of her subsequent actions.

Community Backlash and Action

In the wake of the eviction, Valeiras faced direct verbal attacks from neighbors. She reported hearing chants of 'llévatelos a casa' (take them home) directed at her. Despite this hostility, she accepted the insults and decided to act. She welcomed two of the Badalona evictees into her home for several days.

The reaction within her own circle was distinct. Valeiras noted that her family and friends were actually more afraid of the neighbors' reaction than the evicted people themselves. Specifically, she highlighted their fear of the neighbors' 'discurso de odio' or hate speech.

A Call for Advocacy

Ángela Valeiras views her intervention as more than just temporary shelter; she sees it as a call to action. She believes the evicted individuals 'need our white voices,' implying a need for advocacy from those with social standing. Her gesture highlights the gap between administrative policy and individual humanitarian response in Catalonia.

By absorbing the insults and offering aid, Valeiras has positioned herself as a vocal supporter of the displaced. Her experience underscores the tension surrounding the B9 settlement and the broader issue of housing in the region.

"Para mí, fue una salvajada"

— Ángela Valeiras

"Tenía una tristeza enorme. No me lo podía creer"

— Ángela Valeiras

"He viajado mucho, he estado en la India y he visto miseria y pobreza, pero aquello… en una ciudad como Badalona, era vergonzoso"

— Ángela Valeiras

"Ellos necesitan de nuestras voces blancas"

— Ángela Valeiras