Madrid Students and Faculty Protest University Underfunding, Demand Policy Change
Table of Contents
Madrid residents took to the streets on Thursday to demonstrate against proposed changes to university funding, with estimates of attendance varying widely between organizers and government officials. The demonstration, a continuation of a two-day strike, signals escalating tensions over the future of public higher education in the Community of Madrid.
Thousands of students, teachers, and workers – approximately 55,000 according to organizers, and 7,000 according to the Government Delegation – marched through the city center to demand increased financial support for Madrid’s six public universities and the withdrawal of the Law of Higher Education, Universities and Science of the Community of Madrid. The law is viewed by protestors as paving the way for privatization and further diminishing resources for public institutions.
A Visual Protest Rooted in History
The march itself was a powerful display of solidarity, led by a banner recreating Francisco de Goya’s iconic painting, “May 3, 1808 in Madrid.” This deliberate visual reference linked the current struggle for educational access to a historical moment of resistance against oppression. Protestors carried signs bearing slogans such as “No Cuts,” “The future is not privatized,” and “Studying is a right, not a luxury.”
The procession began at the Plaza del Emperador Carlos V, slowly making its way along Atocha Street to the Plaza de Jacinto Benavente, and ultimately converging on Puerta del Sol, in front of the Real Casa de Correos, the seat of the regional government. There, protestors unfurled a large banner proclaiming, “If you touch the public, we will take to the streets,” and announced plans for a rally on December 4th outside the Madrid Assembly.
Direct Confrontation and Political Opposition
The atmosphere at the regional government headquarters was charged, with protestors chanting slogans like “Cowards!” and “Shame!” directed at officials. Calls for the resignation of Education Minister Emilio Viciana were also prominent. Demonstrators also displayed white balloons depicting the image of Madrid President Isabel Díaz Ayuso, labeled “Alumni non grata,” alongside green balloons bearing the names of the six public universities.
The protest drew support from across the political spectrum. Spokespersons for Más Madrid and the PSOE-M, Manuela Bergerot and Mar Espinar, respectively, joined the demonstration, as did Javier Guardiola, a spokesperson for the PSOE-M. Bergerot stated that Díaz Ayuso would be “forced by all the citizen mobilization” to adequately fund public universities if she did not act voluntarily, and urged her to abandon the proposed university law. Guardiola warned that the current policies aimed to create a “totally weakened public system” and undermine equal opportunities.
A United Front and Continued Mobilization
Professor Eva Aladro, spokesperson for the platforms representing the six universities, described the two days of strike action as “very exciting,” emphasizing the unprecedented unity of professors, students, and administrative staff. She noted the “historic” level of participation, signaling a deep-seated concern within the university community.
Looking ahead, protestors have vowed to continue their fight. A rally is planned for December 4th at the Madrid Assembly, coinciding with the debate on proposed budget amendments submitted by opposition groups, including Más Madrid, PSOE, and Vox. As one protestor stated, “the fight continues.”
