Málaga students spend night in faculty ahead of 11 November strike

About 40 students at the University of Málaga (UMA) spent Monday night inside the Faculty of Education, in a protest staged on the eve of the 11 November strike. Diario Sur and SUR in English reported that the action linked two causes: the movement for the right to housing and students' complaints about the university.

Key facts

• Who: around 40 UMA students, according to both outlets.
• Where: the Faculty of Education, University of Málaga.
• When: the night of Monday 9 November.
• Organiser: the group @umaxlapublica.
• Name: 'Noche en verde' ('night in green').

A joint protest

According to the organisers, the idea came from a committee made up of people mobilised over housing and students involved in university protests. With the 11 November strike close, they decided on a joint action to give visibility to both causes.

SUR in English describes the strike as a nationwide general strike. Diario Sur calls the protest a prelude to the strike.

What happened overnight

Diario Sur reported that students were expected to enter until 21.15, when the faculty closes. Participants prepared a programme of activities that included a banner-making workshop, workshops on student trade unionism, creativity workshops and a film screening during the night.

Faculty informed, no authorisation

According to Diario Sur, the faculty was aware of the activity. The organisers said that, because it was a protest action, they thought it important to tell the faculty to avoid problems or possible reprisals, and they did so. However, the paper reported that the students did not have authorisation.

The sources do not set out the students' specific demands.