This is the moment anti-tourism activists are seen spraying graffiti on holiday rental cars, slashing their tyres and smashing their windscreens on the popular island of Majorca.
The radical anti-tourism group Arran produced the video showing their members damaging rental cars which they say are choking the Spanish Balearic island which is hugely popular with Brits.
The footage shoes activists in white overalls and masks spraying graffiti, slashing tyres and smashing the windows of cars parked by the side of the road in the island’s capital city of Palma.
Video Credit: CEN/Arran Paisos Catalans
The video also shows the logos of some of the most popular car rental firms on the island to the musical backing of Mungo Jerry’s 1970 hit ‘In the Summertime’.
Arran says there are “more than 100,000 tourist rental cars” on Majorca which “cause saturation, unsustainability, pollution and it turns the island into a tourist window display”.
The video also refers to Majorca as part of the ‘Paises Catalanes’ (Catalan countries) identifying with the Catalan independence movement.
The clip has sparked controversy online with most viewers condemning Arran’s extreme actions but others arguing they are needed to combat excessive tourism on the island.
Netizen ‘DeLancetot’: “I do not think this is the best action, tourism represents almost 50 percent of income of the Balearic islands. But of course, they have not worked in their entire lives.”
And ‘pavo_nen’ agreed: “Tourism, with only five months of work, maintains and supports the island for the whole year.”
But ‘Ard1Toro’ argued: “They are idiots… but they are right, without so much tourism, they couldn’t keep exploiting the cars, fresh air and petrol industry to get even richer.”
The video is part of Arran’s summer campaign against tourism which this year carries the slogan: “Massive tourism or neighbours. Money vs Life!”
There is no report on whether police are investigating the criminal damage seen in the video.
Arran is based in Barcelona but has campaigned against tourism in several parts of Spain which is the third most visited country in the world by tourists.
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Story By: Ana Lacasa, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
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