A video released after the 'Menys turisme, més vida' demonstration in Palma shows the severity of the police charge, in which a photojournalist was injured after being struck by a baton.
A video shared on social media has highlighted the harshness of the police intervention during the demonstration called last Saturday by the 'Menys turisme, més vida' group in Palma. The footage, recorded by a witness, shows the moment when several National Police officers charge at the attendees in the area between Avenida Antoni Maura and Paseo Sagrera.
In the recording, a young man carrying photographic equipment, later identified as photojournalist Xavi Hurtado, who was covering the protest, is seen. At one point, an officer strikes him with a baton, causing him to fall to the ground. Several people nearby rush to assist him while the charge continues around them.
The demonstration, which had been peaceful until reaching Ses Voltes, turned into incidents when a group of attendees attempted to access from the upper part, from Dalt Murada, where the National Police had set up a security closure. From that point, tensions escalated until they were temporarily calmed, although minutes later the disturbances resumed.
The officers acted by striking to deter the demonstrators, and the video reflects the forcefulness with which they were employed. According to eyewitnesses, the action left several injured, although the exact number and severity of the injuries have not been specified. Photojournalist Xavi Hurtado is one of the identified injured.
The protest, organised under the slogan 'Menys turisme, més vida', called for stricter regulation of tourist activity in Mallorca and denounced the overcrowding that, according to the organisers, affects the quality of life of residents. The march proceeded without incidents until the aforementioned point, where the police intervention provoked an escalation of tension.
The video has generated intense debate on social media and among civil rights defence groups, who criticise the police action. For their part, sources from the National Police have not officially commented on what happened, although a statement is expected in the coming days.
This episode adds to other recent protests on the island related to tourism, a key sector for the Balearic economy but which also generates tensions due to its effects on housing, the environment, and the daily lives of residents. The demonstration on Saturday was one of the largest in recent months, with an estimated participation of several thousand people.
Residents of the affected area have expressed their concern about the violence of the incidents, which have so far resulted in no known arrests. The association of photojournalists in the Balearics has shown solidarity with Xavi Hurtado and has demanded an investigation into the events.
The Palma City Council, for its part, has urged calm and reminded that the right to protest must be exercised within the legal framework. However, it has refrained from commenting on the police action while awaiting more details. The Government Delegation in the Balearics has also not issued statements.
Meanwhile, the video continues to circulate on digital platforms and has been shared by thousands of users, becoming the centre of the debate on the use of force in protests. More testimonies and possible complaints from the injured are expected to emerge in the coming days.
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