Scratchy subject in Spain

ESCRACHE  has entered the Spanish lexicon. 

Argentinean slang for a theoretically peaceful human rights demonstration outside a private home or place of work, the concept has migrated to Spain.

Here it is increasingly used by protesters and anti-eviction groups, but is fast becoming violent.

This occurred when an escrache group burned down the door to the house of Juan Antonio Barrios, mayor of Fuente del Maestre (Badajoz) in Extremadura.

Jesus Posada, equivalent of Speaker in the national parliament in Madrid, gave escrache a new definition.  “They are absolutely violent acts that damage the very essence of democracy,” Posada said.

Not surprisingly, all political parties have condemned the incident and all others. 

The enmity of those who believe they have little to lose has never been a respecter of party lines.