Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Majorca on Tuesday morning to protest against alleged “heavy-handed” tactics by police at a major march against mass tourism. Large crowds formed outside government offices in Palma, the capital of the Spanish island popular with British holidaymakers.
It comes after eight people are said to have suffered injuries after police clashed with anti-mass tourism protesters at Sunday’s demonstration. Officers hit some protesters with batons, while rubber bullets were also fired.
Sunday's March
The huge two-hour march, which police estimated was attended by 25,000, remained peaceful until the last stage. Police decided to close the protest's endpoint, Ses Voltes, for safety reasons, meaning thousands of marchers were unable to hear the reading of the final manifesto. Clashes broke out as tempers flared.
Demonstrators trying to gain access began shouting at officers and some jumped over cordon fences that police said were in place to prevent a crowd crush. A small group threw objects, mainly plastic bottles, while videos show armed police arriving in full riot gear and chasing demonstrators through the city's main square.
Protesters' Demands
In their manifesto, organisers of the protest claimed “Majorca is at the limit”. Campaign group Menys Turisme, Més Vida added Majorca’s saturation ceiling “was exceeded years ago”. Signs held up by protesters featured slogans like “save Majorca” and “tourists go home”.
It is the latest in a series of demonstrations against overtourism in the Balearic Islands, as well as elsewhere in Spain and the Mediterranean, in recent years. Campaigners argue mass-tourism is contributing to issues such as unaffordable rents and overcrowding.
Tuesday's Demonstration
At the protest on Tuesday morning, an official from Menys Turisme, Més Vida said the group is not against tourism and understands its importance to Majorca. Speaking to the Majorca Daily Bulletin, they added: “What we are opposed to is the fact that there are too many tourists who are eating into our vital resources.”
A cordon was set up around the government offices by the National Police and Guardia Civil for Tuesday’s demonstration. The National Police has confirmed it is launching an internal enquiry into its policing at the protest on Sunday.
