Less Tourism, More Life: "Breaking the lock of tourist rentals is not violence, the destruction of the territory is"

PalmaThe Less Tourism, More Life Platform has once again defended that actions directed against illegal tourist rental housing "are not violence", while considering that the effects of the tourism model on the territory and the population are. The collective made this statement in a press release responding to the controversy generated by its Manual of Action Against Touristification, following criticism from the Government, the Spanish government's delegation, political parties, tourism sector employers' associations, and social and environmental organizations (including some that joined the July 26 demonstration, such as GOB and Terraferida).

In the text, the platform assures that "graffiti and putting silicone on the locks of illegal tourist rental housing that breaks the law is not violence". On the other hand, it argues that "violence" is the destruction of the territory, the expulsion of neighbors, the difficulty of accessing housing, the depletion of natural resources, gentrification, and the aggressions that, it claims, occur during the tourist season.

The platform insists that the manual does not promote violence and claims non-violent direct action as a "legitimate" tool for social and ecological movements. "We do not advocate for violence; on the contrary, we denounce it," states the statement, which recalls actions such as the occupation of La Dragonera and mobilizations to prevent the artificial regeneration of beaches as precedents of civil disobedience that were decisive in the defense of the territory.

According to Less Tourism, More Life, the publication of the manual responds to the need to channel the "growing discontent" caused by the lack of institutional response to the consequences of touristification. The collective maintains that, after years of demonstrations, proposals, and claims, society continues to suffer from a housing crisis, the expulsion of residents, and sustained pressure on natural resources.

In this context, it argues that civil disobedience and non-violent direct action are also tools "of popular organization" and states that the manual aims to guide actions, which it assures are already taking place, "towards safer forms in the face of repression."

The platform also responds to the criticisms received in recent days and assures that it still has "the broad support of the entities", even though some have publicly expressed their disagreement with certain contents of the manual. Likewise, it emphasizes that the publication of the document "is not linked" to the demonstration called for July 26 and insists that ADNV means "non-violent direct action".

Finally, it accuses "certain interests and groups" of wanting to "distort the narrative", "generate alarm" and "discredit and divide" the movement. It also regrets that no institution has yet responded to the political demands presented last week and maintains the call for the protest on July 26 in Palma. "We continue and will continue", concludes the statement.