The protest against mass tourism in Palma ended with eight injured, two of whom were hospitalised. The Government delegate in the Balearic Islands, Alfonso Rodríguez, has announced that he will request a report and accountability.
The march against mass tourism held this Sunday in Palma concluded with a toll of eight injured, two of whom were taken to a hospital with a reserved prognosis. The Government delegate in the Balearic Islands, Alfonso Rodríguez, has described the images of the altercations as "unacceptable" and announced that he will request a thorough report to clarify responsibilities.
“There are images that are unacceptable. I will request a thorough report of the actions and the necessary explanations, so that any responsibilities are assumed. I wish for a swift recovery for the injured,” Rodríguez wrote on the social network X, as reported by Europa Press. In the message, the delegate noted that he is following “with concern the events following the demonstration.”
The incidents occurred after the reading of the manifesto and musical performances at Ses Voltes, where the National Police's access controls had already generated tension. The crowd attempted to move towards Parc de la Mar but became congested at the end of Antoni Maura Avenue closest to the sea, in front of a heavy police presence.
Dozens of officers, some with shields and rubber bullet guns, positioned themselves at the entrance of a parking lot, surrounded by thousands of people chanting slogans such as “I would be ashamed to be a police officer” or “out with the occupying forces.” A small group of protesters threw objects, mostly plastic bottles, while other participants condemned that behaviour.
After several minutes of tension, the officers fired around twenty rubber bullets and charged with batons against several individuals. A young man fell to the ground with a bleeding head wound and was attended to by SAMU 061. Emergency services received calls from both the Local Police and protesters, and three ambulances arrived at the scene.
Two of the injured were taken to a hospital with a reserved prognosis; the other six, with minor injuries, were discharged at the scene. The clashes between a small group of hooded individuals and the National Police lasted for more than an hour, with at least three more police charges.
Another, larger group continued the peaceful protest and even sang ‘La Balanguera’ in front of the police deployment. The crowd dispersed around 11:00 PM, four hours after the demonstration began.
Political reactions were swift. The Sumar-MÉS deputy in Congress, Vicenç Vidal, and the ecosoberanist candidate for the Palma City Council, David Pujol — both present until the end — demanded the resignation of Alfonso Rodríguez, deeming the police action disproportionate. “The Spanish Government delegate is allowing this. Alfonso Rodríguez, you must resign,” Vidal wrote on X.
The coordinator of Podemos in the Balearic Islands, Lucía Muñoz, also condemned the police charges, calling for political accountability from the delegate, and the Youth Socialists of Mallorca advocated for “protecting” rather than “intimidating” those who protest peacefully.
The protest is part of the growing social discontent over mass tourism in the Balearic Islands, which has generated mobilisations in recent months. The Government Delegation in the Balearic Islands has not yet issued an official statement regarding the events, beyond Rodríguez's message on social media.
Residents of Palma affected by traffic disruptions and altercations in the city centre hope that the events will be clarified and measures taken to prevent similar situations from occurring in future demonstrations.
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