The group known as Canary Islands are sold out staged a protest on Thursday in La Laguna with a demonstration and a human chain, setting the stage for upcoming protests across most of the Canary Islands next week. Activists from this organisation have also commenced a hunger strike as a response to the government’s inaction concerning tourism projects like Cuna del Alma and the La Tejita hotel in Tenerife.
The group had previously announced the initiation of a collective hunger strike at 5:00 p.m. to “defend the land.” The platform orchestrating these actions has stated that their immediate goal is to “halt the construction of the La Tejita hotel and the Cuna del Alma residential complex,” two upscale tourist projects in southern Tenerife that they deem “unlawful.”
Sources from Salvar La Tejita have mentioned, “If these projects are not halted, a hunger strike with more specific objectives, such as implementing an immediate moratorium on tourism, will begin.” They urge dialogue with them, other citizen platforms, scientists, and experts to prevent this unsustainable model from continuing.
In addition, mobilisations have begun to spark a debate ahead of the demonstrations scheduled for April 20th in various locations, under the slogan The Canary Islands have a limit, expected to attract a massive turnout.
The action commenced on Thursday afternoon at the Concepción church in La Laguna, where supporters surrounded the hunger strikers with messages of solidarity such as “The Canary Islands are not for sale, the Canary Islands are defending themselves” and “Out with corrupt politicians in the Canary Islands,” witnessed by locals and tourists passing through the area.
Following the rally, a human chain was formed along San Agustín Street to Viana Street and back to the starting point, where the hunger strikers have set up tents for the night and an information booth.
Víctor Martín, a spokesperson for Canarias se Agota, stated to EFE that Thursday’s activities followed the expiration of a ten-day ultimatum given to the Government of the Canary Islands to engage in dialogue and initiate changes regarding the halted urban projects in southern Tenerife.
“This initial step is crucial, and the second involves implementing a tourism moratorium to halt any form of tourism expansion until an assessment of each island’s carrying capacity is conducted, enabling a debate on the future we envision for the Canary Islands,” concluded Martín.
