Manifesto in support of Francisco

In Barcelona there are people who support social movements almost without making a sound. People who are always there, who appear when there is an eviction, a meeting, a call, a conflict or someone who needs help. People who have turned solidarity into a way of life. Francisco is one of these people.

If there is one thing that defines him, it is solidarity: always willing to lend a hand wherever needed. For years he has been and is a leading face of PAH Barcelona, participating in meetings with different groups, social gatherings, work and collaboration spaces, support groups and solidarity networks throughout the city.

Always available. Always present. Always with the same phrase:

“Anything to help others.”

Francisco has dedicated time, energy and life to caring for and defending others. He has stood by families who had lost everything, by neighbors anxious before an eviction, by colleagues who needed support. He has helped build community in a city that is increasingly ostracizing and difficult for the working classes.

And now he is the one who needs support.

After losing his business and his apartment during the crisis, Francisco managed to rebuild his life thanks to an affordable lease signed with CaixaBank. Years later, without having missed a single month of payment, his lease ends on May 14th and, at this point, the bank refuses to renew it. The reason is simple, why renew an affordable lease if they can earn more!

Francisco is a vulnerable person, retired, and the bank is willing to leave him on the street. We cannot allow that.

Defending Francisco is also defending the type of city and society we want to be. A society that does not abandon people. A city that understands that housing is a right for everyone and not the business of a handful of rich people.

From PAH Barcelona we will give everything to support Francisco and achieve three clear objectives:

• The immediate renewal of Francisco’s lease.
• The guarantee that he will not be evicted or expelled from his home.
• A lifetime lease that guarantees he won’t suffer any more scares.

Francisco is not alone.

He who has supported so many people and neighborhood struggles deserves that we now be the ones to support him.

If you know him, you know what we’re talking about.

Sign the manifesto in support of Francisco.