Majorca has been placed on alert for possible riots, violent protests and shop looting this Friday. Police in the capital, Palma, say they are preparing a comprehensive security operation following threats made by activists.
National Police are investigating the veracity of possible looting threats circulated in the Telegram group 'Gen Z', which is linked to a rally called for Friday in Palma's Plaza de España.
Police call for calm as security device prepared
Officers say they will be ready for any incidents but are urging calm, stating: "We ask the population for tranquility. An investigation is being carried out to verify the veracity of these alleged threats but, nevertheless, a security device will be established."
The rally, organised through the Telegram group, is scheduled for 7.30pm in Plaza de España and is being promoted under the name 'Blocus' — the same name used by organisers of riots registered last weekend in Barcelona, which ended with serious altercations and 128 arrests. Protesters are calling for urgent action on housing, education and public transport.
President demands forceful response
President of the Balearic Government, Marga Prohens, has called for the strongest-ever security device and asked security forces to act with "maximum speed and forcefulness" in the face of any violence. "What we see are riots, episodes of violence and organised crime," she said, attributing the unrest to people who "do not respect the basic values of our Western society."
Prohens warned that authorities must be prepared to prevent a repeat of incidents recorded in other cities, and expressed particular concern about the impact on small businesses.
Telegram group warns of looting if attacked
Telegram says it wants the demonstration to be peaceful but warns: "We will loot the shops if attacked." The group has more than 100 members on its chat site, many of whom say they intend to commit robberies and loot shops. In more worrying posts, they allude to carrying substances like hydrochloric acid.
The group's leader has rejected threats of vandalism similar to those seen in Barcelona. "Our idea is not to loot stores," he said, but warned they would respond if there is police aggression: "If the police or any son of a bitch attacks one of us, then we will defend ourselves." The Barcelona riots ended with looting of shops, fires, barricades and clashes with the Mossos d'Esquadra.
Trade body urges preventive measures
Afedeco, the trade association in the Balearic Islands, has demanded that the government delegation and Palma city council organise a preventive police device over fears of possible incidents. The federation has recommended that establishments near Plaza de España "bring forward the closure if sufficient protection measures are not guaranteed."
Prohens said shops should not be exposed to situations of violence and insisted it is up to the security forces to avoid new incidents. She also demanded the immediate expulsion of foreigners in an irregular situation who take part in possible riots, calling for arrests of those who commit violent acts and, for people who entered Spain irregularly, return to their countries of origin. "And if any of these have entered our country irregularly, they should be returned home the same day," she said.
