SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 16th April. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Members of the ‘Canarias se exhaurx’ movement, currently encamped at Plaza de la Concepción in La Laguna, have marked their sixth day of a hunger strike and are reportedly in a state of health deemed “alarming”, exacerbated by the intense heat in recent days. They are urging the Government President, Fernando Clavijo, to address their grievances in order to prevent the hunger strikers from facing irreparable health issues.
Víctor Martín, the spokesperson for ‘Canarias se exhaurx’, speaking at a press conference alongside a nurse and a psychologist from the movement, has denounced the policies being implemented in the Canary Islands. These politics are believed to be fostering a socio-economic structure characterised by job precarity, challenges in accessing housing, disengagement with the environment, heightened stress levels, rising poverty rates, increased individualism and competitiveness, as well as the inability to foster collective responsibility in caring for relationships and individuals. These factors are seen to be creating a reality with negative impacts on the mental, personal, and social well-being of the society in the Canary Islands.
Martín accentuated the strong resolve of the hunger strikers, stating that their mental fortitude is what enables them to withstand “this profoundly challenging moment of pushing their physical limits”, emphasising the importance of feeling supported by others who provide care to manage the necessary energy levels.
Nonetheless, he acknowledged the constraints on their physical and mental capacities, noting signs of their physiological systems reaching their limits and being in distress. This underscores the urgency for intervention to halt their hunger strike.
Thus, ‘Canarias se exhaurx’ is calling upon the political class to address the deteriorating health conditions of the hunger strikers, warning that failing to do so would be a grave dereliction of responsibility. They stress the imperative need for a political response focused on promoting the health and well-being of the Canary Islands’ population and, by extension, the hunger strikers.
The nurse from the camp’s medical team reported vital signs of the hunger strikers being outside normal ranges, posing significant risks to their health. They are experiencing hypotension, hypoglycaemia, very low blood pressure and blood sugar levels, as well as considerable weight loss.
The nurse deemed the data as “highly alarming” and cautioned that continuation of the hunger strike could result in irreversible neurological damage or even death. Highlighting the strenuous living conditions, he pointed out that the La Laguna City Council has yet to respond to the request for an ambulance to be stationed at the square, underscoring the peril the individuals are willingly subjecting themselves to from the onset of the strike.
Displaying great resolve amidst their compromised physical and mental states, these individuals are seen as determined. There is a call for dialogue with public authorities to resolve the situation and prevent any catastrophic outcomes.
MANIFESTO
Additionally, a manifesto has been issued urging President Fernando Clavijo not to overlook the adverse effects of the current “predatory and speculative” model evident in the Canary Islands. They critique the “hypocritical rhetoric” emanating from the President since the demonstrations commenced on April 20. The manifesto demands tangible actions, asserting that empty promises do not alleviate hunger or halt destruction, advocating for the people’s voices to be heard.
‘Canarias se agata’ implores Fernando Clavijo to immediately halt the illegal large-scale projects negatively impacting the island, warning that time is of the essence. Emphasis is placed on the urgent need to safeguard not just the health of the hunger strikers but the future of the Canary Islands as a whole. They call for ceasing the race to the bottom and implementing a tourism freeze to secure the region’s future. Accountability is demanded from the President, with a call for strong public support should he fail to act.
Criticism is directed at La Laguna Mayor, Luis Yeray Gutiérrez, for failing to provide basic facilities such as bathrooms at the encampment, contrasting the current situation with the past actions of a former Mayor from the same party, who partook in a hunger strike to prevent a landfill from being constructed in the municipality. A plea is made for the current Mayor to show similar courage and support the legitimate battle aimed at preserving the land, joined by numerous supporters.
