Mallorca: Police clear Palma housing protest camp

Mallorca: Around 20 local police officers cordon off Plaza de España in Palma on Wednesday evening, 4 November, and clear a housing protest camp. The camp has stood there since protests began over the eviction of Maricarmen Abascal, who has since died. At about 20:00, officers begin identifying people at the site as lorries from the municipal company Emaya arrive and workers start removing belongings.

Campers collect tents behind the cordon

Pallets used to mark out and protect the camp had already been removed on Monday. Camp spokesman Lluc Cifre says police arrived without warning and initially gave people no chance to collect their things. Later, some are allowed through the cordon to retrieve tents, mattresses and other belongings.

Around 20 supporters chant and ask to see the order authorising the clearance. People who oppose the camp also confront the protesters and voice support for the police. Arguments continue during the operation, which lasts several hours. Towards the end, officers step in to prevent fights.

Officials dispute the clearance

Pere Joan Pons, the Spanish government’s delegate in the Balearic Islands, says on X that he is deeply concerned. He argues that the right to assemble protects the camp and says his office received no formal request.

Palma City Council says it notified his office on Wednesday. It argues that the camp had substantially exceeded both the duration and the conditions originally declared by its organisers, so it was no longer covered by assembly rights. The council says Mayor Jaime Martínez had repeatedly asked the delegate’s office to act and that, when it did not, the city intervened under municipal rules.

National Police officers briefly reinforce the cordon. Municipal social services attend to an older woman at the site; the council says she was offered accommodation.

Topics: Police · Politics · Palma · Escorca

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com