Mallorca housing camp cleared: protesters weigh lawsuit

Mallorca’s housing protesters are weighing a lawsuit after Palma city council clears their camp in Plaza de España in Palma, Mallorca. They remained on the square until Wednesday night. On Thursday, 5 November, they plan to return for a rally at 19.00.

Who could clear the camp?

Organisers of the Acampada per l’Habitatge say they had permission to stay on the square but received no warning that the council intended to remove them. They argue that the council had neither the authority nor the necessary approval to do so. Their legal team is considering whether to take civil or criminal action.

On Wednesday morning, Palma mayor Jaime Martínez again urged the Spanish government’s delegation in the Balearic Islands to clear the camp, saying it was the delegation’s responsibility. After the clearance, the council said it had stepped in because the delegation had not acted, and that it was enforcing local rules. Government delegate Pere Joan Pons expressed deep concern, saying the protest was protected by the right to assemble and that his office had received no official request beforehand.

Protesters plan to return

The protesters say workers from the municipal company Emaya and officers from the local police took personal belongings and documents before they had time to collect them. They are now trying to get those items back.

They have not decided whether to set up camp again in Plaza de España or elsewhere in Palma. They had intended to stay at least until the general strike on 11 November. For now, they have called a rally and a shared snack on the square at 19.00 on Thursday.

Topics: Protests · Politics · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com