The Canary Island protest group issued a four-word warning in its latest battle against overtourism. Activist group Canarias Tiene UN Limite (Canary has restrictions) warned that “we will not stop” as they launched 13 more demonstrations in Spain, the Canary Islands and Europe on May 18th.
The organizers called on political institutions to take action after criticizing “regressive laws” that they believed hadn't resolved the crisis. “We will not be able to stop until the Canary Islands achieve the model change that is urgently needed,” he warned. The protest is against a “unsustainable and exploitative economic model” of tourism, and the group claims it has driven the island into a social, economic and environmental collapse.
Activist groups have made 10 important requests, including the immediate halt of “destructive projects” and the dismantling of illegal developments.
It also called for new tourist development and a freeze on stricter regulations to prevent local people from evacuation and to maintain the culture and identity of the Canary.
Protesters supported green energy, but opposed large projects that said could damage ecosystems, instead sought community-driven renewable energy using rooftops, parking and already degraded land.
The campaign focused primarily on the environment, calling for a revival of marine pollution and abandoned buildings, former quarries and degraded zones for conservation purposes.
Actors want to introduce tourism taxes that are invested in conservation and create jobs to help the island become self-sufficient for food.
It rejected infrastructure, such as roads and airports, which were considered purely tourist-driven, and instead sought better public transport.
Protests planned for May 18th
Canary Islands:
Tenerife – Plaza Wailer, Santa Cruz, 11amgran Canary – Auditorio Alfredo Claus, Las Palmas, 11am Lanzaroto – Chiosco de la Mucica, Arecif, 11amfuerteventura – Plaza de la Iglesia, Puerto del Rosario, 11AMEL HIERI -VALRE -deeria Palma – Plaza de la Alameda, Santa Cruz de la Palma, 11amla gomera – Plaza de las Americas, San Sebastian, 11am
Mainland Spain and Europe
Barcelona – Sagrada Familia, 12pmmadrid – Puerta del Sol, 12pmgranada – Plaza Santa Ana, 12:30 PMvalencia – Plaza del Ayuntamiento, 12pmbilbao – Plaza Teatro Arriaga, 12pmmpamplona (Iruuña) – Plaza del ayyuntiago gastiago Alameda (Dúas Marías), 12pmmberlin – Pariser Platz (Brandenburg Gate), 12pm
