Baton-wielding cops ‘fire rubber bullets’ at anti-tourism zealots after 25,000 protesters ‘collapse streets’ of Majorca

POLICE have reportedly fired rubber bullets as anti-tourism protests turned nasty in Palma. Dramatic footage shows scuffles between protesters and baton-wielding cops as more than 25,000 flooded the streets of Majorca’s capital to rage against holidaymakers flocking to the island. Police officers and demonstrators clash during a protest against mass tourism Credit: Reuters More than 25,000 anti-tourism protestors have flooded the streets of Palma, Majorca Credit: Reuters Cops were seen brandishing batons against anti-tourism zealots in tense scenes Credit: Reuters A demonstrator carries a placard reading “save Majorca” Credit: Reuters At least one person was injured in the chaos, El Diario reported, and ambulances rushed to the scene. Protesters yelled that Palma “has reached its limit” as they threatened to shut down the holiday hotspot. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Demonstrators held signs emblazoned with slogans including “tourists go home”, “tourism = destruction”, “save Majorca” and “less tourism, more life”. One banner displayed an illustration of a gun with text reading: “Forced to live in struggle.” Police and protesters face off Credit: NHP One banner displayed an illustration of a gun with text reading: ‘Forced to live in struggle’ Credit: Reuters Protestors demanded an end to mass tourism on the island, claiming holidaymakers flocking to its sun-soaked shores had reduced the quality of life for Majorcans. It’s the third summer of large scale protests against tourists. Previous demostrations have seen holidaymakers sprayed by water pistols. And last year a similar protest ended with a small group of anti-tourist yobs breaking off from the march and yelling slogans at a group of holidaymakers enjoying a drink at a popular Palma bar. Most read in The Sun Protestors demanded an end to mass tourism on the island Credit: AFP A spokesman said: ‘Majorca is on the edge, and once again, everything points to increases in the number of visitors’ Credit: AFP Demonstrators hold a banner reading ‘tourism = destruction’ Credit: Reuters Demonstrators demanded an end to mass tourism on the island Credit: Reuters Earlier this month 10,000 campaigners formed a human chain to block access to the Playa Es Trenc beauty spot. Activists say locals cannot afford housing due to the rising number of holiday rentals and expats. A spokesman said: “Majorca is on the edge, and once again, everything points to increases in the number of visitors. No real change will come without sustained social mobilisation. “That is why we are back on the streets. To defend the right to housing, territory, public services, language, culture, working conditions, and the future of Majorca.” Police are probing Less Tourism, More Life over its online advice to block Airbnb key boxes and vandalise firms linked to tourism. Shocking footage on Instagram revealed the crazy lengths Canary Islanders go to as they wage war on the tourism industry earlier this year. Anti-tourist tactics include using fake police tape to cordon off popular beauty spots like beach access paths to trick tourists into thinking they are closed. Videos showed lock boxes outside holiday homes being sabotaged with extra-strong glue to stop tourists getting in. The lock boxes are typically fixed on the walls of rentals, with the keys inside, and can only be opened by a special PIN code given to them by the flats’ owners. Footage also showed yobs closing off the path to a popular volcano with red and white tape. A fake “no entry” sign was also put up in a bid to keep tourists out. The goal is to make it as hard as possible for holidaymakers to enjoy their trip, fuming campaigners say. Comment now