Palma.Over 2'500 people formed a giant human chain which stretched for longer than three kilometres along Palma sea front yesterday in protest over the local authorities' decision to import waste from the mainland and eventually overseas for treatment at the Son Reus incinerator on the outskirts of Palma.
The demonstration was organised by Balearic environmental group GOB which, having been blanked by local government and parts of the media, have adopted new tactics, primarily getting the general public more involved in the protest campaign and, with regards to the debate over importing waste, appear to be winning.
People of all nationalities took part in yesterday's protest under the slogan we don't want to be Europe's dunghill. We are not Europe's trash can, said the spokesperson for GOB Margalida Ramis who said that the fact so many people braved the rain to join the protest is a clear indication of just how unpopular the Council of Majorca's decision, which has been backed by local government, is.
Much of Majorca feels angry and they are prepared to show it, she added.
Ramis said that Gob's stance has been backed by health and environmental bodies across Europe with fears that increasing operations at the incinerator, which now has two giant furnaces, poses a threat to the environment and the public's health.
The official line is that by importing the waste, the incinerator will be operating at near maximum capacity all year and therefore locals will not see incinerator rates increase because of the money made by using the island as Europe's trash can. It appears few people are falling for it.
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