'Pieces of Madrid' — Resistance to social crisis in Spain (Video)

In the short documentary below, we can experience the ongoing resistance in Spain to the economic and social crisis, as well as the effects of budget cuts and austerity measures.

It tells the story of a massive mobilization which saw millions of people converging on the capital city, Madrid, March 22, 2014, and how people are self-organizing to survive.

While the initial protests that started in Madrid on May 15, 2011, were the work of the 15M movement, now many organizations are involved in ongoing protests, including groups fighting home evictions and trade unions.

The documentary tells how the Spanish people are struggling to cope with lessening social services and massive unemployment and how they are turning to each other in an effort to find solutions.

For those lucky enough to have a job, their salaries are being cut. For those without employment, they find no assistance from the government, as social services are both lessened and privatized, and unemployment benefits run out.

On a more positive note, we also hear about the proliferation of social centers, self-organized food banks and community gardens being set up to help and feed the needy.

With evictions a constant worry, we hear the story of large-scale housing occupations by families, who have been forced out of their own homes. In the face of need, creativity arises as people find a way to survive.

While the Spanish government insists that things are improving in the country, there is a protest happening somewhere in Spain on almost a daily basis - you just don't always hear about it in the news.

People are fighting to resist the gradual destruction of public and social services and the fact that the government makes no real attempt to solve the crisis for anyone other than the banks themselves.

Finally, the film asks what the future may hold for Spain and its people.

The documentary was filmed and edited by award-winning independent filmmaker, journalist and writer Brandon Jourdan during March and April 2014 and is part of the excellent and informative Global Uprisings documentary series, which can be viewed here and on both Vimeo and YouTube.


Pieces of Madrid from brandon jourdan on Vimeo.



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People looking out for each other, day to day, in Spain

People looking out for each other day to day in Spain

As the population becomes more vulnerable due to the continuing economic crisis in Spain, people are teaming up, joining together to help one another. 

They stress that it must not be considered charity. What they are doing is what all human beings should do - chipping in a couple of euros, helping out and ensuring no children go to bed hungry at night.

An organization called Adintre is working hard on the Costa del Sol. With a service and reception area in the Las Rampas shopping complex in Fuengirola and an office in Torreblanca farther down the coast, the organization is collecting clothing and food to help the needy.

If you are visiting the coast, you might find people standing at the entrance to supermarkets, with a smile on their faces, and a trolley waiting to be filled. After introducing themselves, they tell you what the most urgently needed item is for the day and hope that you will buy it together with your groceries.

Last weekend, they asked me for breakfast cereal, today it was fruit juice; it costs so little to add a few extra items, like some biscuits, chocolate milk or even some sweet treats for the children.

The president of the organization is Joyce Gyimah, who had thought for years of creating an organization to alleviate the suffering many people are going through in Spain.

With the help of Alfonso Perez Duarte (vice president), Maria Luisa Amoah (treasurer) and Alexandra de Rorthais (secretary), Joyce has now founded the Adintre Foundation (Andalucia Integra).

The group not only helps hungry children. They are also actively involved in many other aspects of life in Spain.

They offer a place for the homeless; they help young people become socially integrated and, if possible, employed. Abused women can come to the group for extensive assistance in cases of domestic violence, which always tends to be prevalent in times of economic crisis.

They also assist immigrants in the process of being integrated into society, from any country. They do their utmost to improve the quality of life of the elderly, who are also affected by the crisis, as pensions decrease.
With evictions being prevalent in the country, as people become unable to pay their mortgage, the group provides accommodation for the people, whether young or old.

As stated in their brochure and on their website, Adintre offers food, clothing, medicines, school materials and social assistance with love, respect and dignity.

If you live in Spain, please consider sparing a few euros per week to help, or if possible, volunteer to work with the organization.

Just imagine if we all did the same and helped each other out. What a wonderful world this could be.


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'Pieces of Madrid'—Resistance to social crisis in Spain (Video)