The human chain on Es Trenc beach, which drew thousands of people to the south of Mallorca on Sunday morning, was described by its organisers as a resounding success — and produced a tense moment when the local mayor tried to address the crowd.
The protest
The demonstration was organised by the environmental group GOB, the campaign platform Terraferida and the collective Menys Turisme, Més Vida. Participants gathered near the yacht club at Sa Ràpita and formed a chain stretching around three kilometres along the beach, with the aim of showing public support for maintaining the protection of Es Trenc and its natural park.
The concern
The organisers accuse the Balearic government of trying to lower the level of protection of the Es Trenc–Salobrar de Campos natural park by changing the rules that govern it through decrees that do not require a vote in parliament.
The government’s position
The government denies any intention to weaken protection. Officials say they are simply updating the park’s regulations to bring them into line with those of other natural parks in the Balearics, and that the changes will not harm the environment.
A mayor booed
When the mayor of Campos, Francisca Porquer of the Partido Popular — the party that governs the Balearics — tried to speak through a public address system, she was met with boos from part of the crowd.
“Exceeded all expectations”
Tonina Siquier, vice-president of GOB, said the event had been a resounding success that exceeded all expectations, and that the participants had sent a clear message to those in power.
Why Es Trenc matters
Es Trenc is one of the last long, undeveloped sandy beaches in Mallorca, backed by dunes, pine woods and the salt pans of the Salobrar. Its protection was the result of decades of campaigning, beginning in the 1970s, against plans to urbanise it. For many Mallorcans, it has become a symbol of what the island could lose.
What comes next
The organisers say they will continue to monitor any changes to the park’s rules and will push for public debate and parliamentary scrutiny of any reform affecting protected areas.
