Forum Post: Spanish Firemen and Locksmiths Refuse To Evict Homeowners

Following a series of suicides by people who had been evicted from their homes for failing to pay their mortgage fees, locksmiths are refusing to aid authorities in the eviction of homeowners. The Daily Telegraph quotes David Ormaechea, president of the Locksmiths Union, as having told AFP that: "Families' lives were being ruined and we were acting as executioners". He added: "It was causing us tension and unease."

As could be expected, the Spanish government has been siding with the banks and has tried to mobilize fire departments to do this dirty work for the banks. Now firefighters are refusing to play executioner. The Telegraph reports an incident in the town of La Coruna, where the fire department was order to evict an 85-year-old woman who had not paid her rent. Their arrival at her door sparked a spontaneous demonstration where even some of the firefighters joined.

This refusal is widespread throughout the country. "We come to the aid of people in emergencies. It is contradictory to help the banks that are putting people's lives in danger by evicting them," said Antonio del Rio, a labor union representative for the Catalunya fire service. "The only thing we do is help citizens," said Pedro Campos, a Madrid-based fireman.