The National Police charged at protesters on Avenida Antoni Maura in Palma after chants such as 'Tourists Go Home'. Officers acted without warning, according to witnesses, and there were injuries.
The protest against mass tourism in Palma experienced its most tense moment on Monday when the National Police charged at the demonstrators on Avenida Antoni Maura. The events occurred after some activists chanted slogans like 'Tourists Go Home' and 'Els carrers seran sempre nostres', which the officers interpreted as an imminent threat.
According to eyewitnesses, the first charge came without prior warning. Riot vans were quickly deployed and officers surged into the crowd, which was mostly made up of families with banners and placards. The area around Parc de la Mar was one of the most conflict-ridden points, where some protesters threw plastic bottles at the police.
The police action included firing rubber ball shotguns, although apparently without projectiles, as warning shots. However, several witnesses claim that the warning was not clear and that the officers charged directly at the protesters. A photographer who was standing on a planter, about fifty centimetres above the pavement, was struck with a baton while trying to capture images, as he later reported.
The violence caused many people to leave the protest, while tourists dining on nearby terraces endured the noise and tension. Emergency services had to access the area on foot to attend to several injured individuals with head wounds. Hospital sources confirmed at least eight minor injuries, although their current condition has not been specified.
The second charge, the most intense, occurred after the protesters chanted 'Tourists Go Home', according to several attendees. At that moment, riot police were reinforced with additional personnel and charged at the group that remained on Avenida Antoni Maura. An elderly man, who was watching from the stairs leading to the esplanade of the Seu, tried to understand why the police had not announced the end of the demonstration before acting.
The government delegate in the Balearic Islands, who has already faced criticism for his management, ruled out resigning and pointed out that the action was proportionate given the real risk of disturbances. For its part, the organising platform, 'Menys Turisme, Més Vida', accused the police of using disproportionate force and announced that it would file a complaint with the courts. The spokesperson for the entity stated that the protest had been peaceful until the officers charged without warning.
Hoteliers in Mallorca lamented the episodes of violence and called for respect for the right to protest, but also for the safety of tourists and residents. In a statement, the hotel association urged administrations to seek dialogue to prevent situations like this from recurring.
The day of protest, which had started calmly, turned tense as evening fell. The more aggressive protesters positioned themselves near Parc de la Mar and began to confront tourists strolling in the area. The police, who had maintained a passive attitude until then, decided to intervene when the chants became threatening. The charge lasted several minutes, with officers chasing protesters through the adjacent streets.
From the political opposition, Més deputy Vicenç Vidal denounced the police violence and demanded the government delegate's appearance in Congress. The spokesperson for ERC in the Parliament, Gabriel Rufián, also condemned the events and expressed solidarity with the injured. Junqueras, leader of ERC, joined the criticism and called for an independent investigation.
Local residents, who experience the day-to-day realities of mass tourism, expressed concern over the rising social tension. Some support the protests against tourist saturation but reject violence. Others believe that police action was necessary to ensure public order. The controversy is set to continue as authorities are expected to clarify the details of the operation.
In the coming days, new mobilisations are expected to be called by local platforms and environmental entities. The Palma City Council has called for calm and offered its mediation services to prevent further disturbances. The Government Delegation, for its part, has announced that it will review the operational protocol for demonstrations to ensure that everyone's rights are upheld.
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