Anti-tourism protesters plan to ‘storm the beaches’ in Majorca
30.05.2024 - 09:13
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Brits holidaying in a popular Spanish island could face disruption while sunbathing on the sand as protesters are set to ‘storm the beaches’. Anti-tourism protesters are planning further demonstrations in Majorca as locals speak out about the negative impact of mass-tourism.
The group Mallorca Platja Tour is urging residents to “occupy the beaches” this Saturday, June 1, with more protests planned for Sunday, June 16. The first protest is set to take place in Sa Rapita beach, on the south side of the island.
It coincides with the end of the half term holidays for many British holidaymakers. The group said on social media site X that they would be “swimming” at 10am at the beach this Saturday and shared the hashtag “OcupemLesNostresPlatges” which translates as “we occupy our beaches”.
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The group warned that it was planning a “big move” on Sunday June 16 and asked for people to share their ideas. It comes after huge protests were held in the Majorcan capital on Saturday May 25, with around 15,000 people taking to the streets.
Protestors were holding signs saying “SOS Tourism” and “Salvem Mallorca, guiris arruix'' which translates from Catalan as "Let's save Majorca, foreigners out", ‘guiri’ being an offensive term for tourists. Demonstrations also took place on the neighbouring island of Ibiza the day before.
The latest plans for protests on the beach come after a spokeswoman for right-wing party Vox, Manuela Cañadas, said Majorcans “cannot expect to go to the beach in July and August like they did years ago". She warned that anti-tourism protests could send holidaymakers elsewhere, leading to a lack of work on the island, Majorca