Tens of Thousands Protest Mass Overtourism in Palma

• Thousands gathered in Palma to protest against overtourism and its impact on housing accessibility.
• Estimates of attendance ranged from 25,000 (government) to 70,000 (organizers), with protesters demanding the right to live on the island.
• Recent aggressive police tactics against activists have fueled social tension and sparked official condemnations.

Overtourism and Housing Crisis

• The island has a population of 979,000 residents, but more than 100,000 properties are dedicated to tourist rentals, effectively displacing locals.
• Protesters held signs condemning the industry for destroying local life and rendering housing unaffordable for residents.

Conflicts and Police Conduct

• The protest concluded with police charging at demonstrators near La Seu, resulting in multiple injuries, including a photojournalist.
• Two activists from the collective 'Menys Turisme, Més Vida' were previously arrested and handcuffed for painting a real estate office; their lawyer claims their fundamental rights were violated through threats and improper detention procedures.

Public Reaction and Future Actions

• The Santa Maria city council passed a unanimous motion condemning the lack of police proportionality and the criminalization of peaceful protest.
• The activist collective has published a manual for direct, non-violent action against the tourism model, which they term a tool for "self-defense."
• Further demonstrations are planned across Mallorca, including in the town of Sóller, where there are currently 75 tourist spots for every 100 residents.