Mallorca-linked Samantha Hudson pepper-sprayed in Madrid

Mallorca-linked actress Samantha Hudson and two other women cannot see after pepper spray hits their faces at a protest on Gran Vía in Madrid on Wednesday, 11 November. Actress Laura Weissmahr and communications professional María Barrier also receive medical attention. The protest is part of a nationwide 24-hour general strike over housing.

Hudson describes the spray attack

Hudson says a man came from behind riot police and sprayed her directly in the face. She says the three women were at the front of the protest but were not using violence. They had been pushed towards the pavement and stopped when another woman tripped, then began chanting.

Barrier says police had started hitting a man on the ground before the spray struck the women’s faces. None of the three could see, she says. They received medical reports, but their faces were still burning.

Protest blocks Gran Vía

Hundreds of people join the protest. Police charge protesters and two people are arrested. Demonstrators block traffic along almost all of Gran Vía for about two hours. In the rain, they move down the street with arms linked, chanting and blowing whistles.

Topics: Police

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com