Palma stands up against gender violence and remembers Palestinian women

PalmNearly 1,500 people, divided into two demonstrations, marched in Palma with a common goal: to end gender-based violence. This Tuesday, the Transfeminist Coordinating Committee of Mallorca and the Feminist Movement of Mallorca marched separately through the streets of Palma in commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The mobilization organized by the Transfeminist Coordinating Committee departed at 6:30 p.m. from Plaça de la Porta Pintada, while the other started at the same time from Plaça d'Espanya. However, they had different destinations: Plaça de Cort and Plaça del Tub, respectively. Despite the clear distinction between the two movements, Sara Barceló, spokesperson for the Transfeminist Coordinating Committee of Mallorca, considered that the trans-inclusive demonstration "brought in many people who otherwise wouldn't have taken to the streets" and celebrated that "both demonstrations contribute to a larger turnout." Some of the attendees explained to ARA Baleares that they joined the Transfeminist Coordinator's demonstration because "it's more inclusive," although they stressed that "the important thing is to demonstrate."

This year, the Coordinating Committee demonstrated under the slogan "Combat sexist violence, be a feminist activist." The phrase alludes to "the collective call and social reorganization within a political context where results are achieved through struggle and organization," explained Barceló. Anti-racist organizations and youth associations, among others, also joined the demonstration. Meanwhile, the Feminist Movement mobilized under the slogan "Sexism kills, the feminist struggle sustains us." Among the demonstrators, some typical Palestinian scarves—keffiyehs—could be seen, as well as banners commemorating the Palestinian women who have suffered genocide at the hands of the Israeli state. Batucada drumming became the main feature of both demonstrations, accompanied by chants demanding that "no aggression can go unanswered."

Attendees prepared various initiatives to show their rejection of gender violence. The Flama collective dressed a woman in a tracksuit, and anyone who wished could write the name of their abuser on it. "There are many conversations about assaults and abuse that only happen in bars. Why don't we talk about it publicly so that more people can know who the abusers around them are? We will continue doing this until every name is written down," said the woman behind the initiative.

Meanwhile, a group of women created a "sexism trap" which they displayed through the streets of Ciutat. The Feminist Movement demonstration also included a space for murdered women, represented by a white sheet with lilac letters that read: "space for the absent women."

Representatives from the PSIB and PP parties, among others, participated in the demonstrations, as well as the director of the Balearic Institute for Women (IBDona), Cati Salom. Meanwhile, the Transfeminist Coordinating Committee of Mallorca asserted in its manifesto that rights "cannot be taken for granted" but must be "defended in order to resist and move forward."

Thus, they called for strengthening the feminist struggle in a political context where, in their view, the backlash is "gaining strength." They also emphasized that gender-based violence "is not an isolated incident or an inevitable fate, but a direct expression of a patriarchal and capitalist system," and criticized institutions that "try to make people believe" that this violence consists of isolated incidents. They added that this approach "aligns" with the agenda of the right and far right and "fuels classist, sexist, and racist rhetoric."

In her view, security depends on having basic needs met, that is, "being able to access decent housing, having water, electricity and bread, combating the feminization of poverty and putting those most punished by savage capitalism at the center of public policies."

The manifesto also warned of the "alarming surge" in hate speech, the rise in sexual assaults and vicarious violence, as well as new forms of digital control. "While violence is on the rise, the ultraconservative offensive is advancing," they asserted.

On the other hand, they condemned the "institutional repression": "While they tell us that we trust the State to protect us, they send police to the demonstrations, criminalize us with the gag law and increasingly limit the right to protest," the organizers of the mobilization stated.

They also addressed the issue of abortion, asserting it as a fundamental right and not "a right reserved for a select few." "The massive presence of conscientious objectors, the lack of resources in public healthcare, and the moral judgments that still weigh upon us turn a basic right into a labyrinth of obstacles," they stated.

However, they emphasized that feminism is built day by day and that rights are defended through activism and "building community in the face of hatred and precarity." "Today, as always, we affirm that they will not silence us, they will not make us invisible, they will not divide us," they concluded.

Spokesperson Sara Barceló also pointed out in statements to the media that having two demonstrations means "more people" will take to the streets. "We believe that, compared to other social movements, both November 25th and March 8th—International Women's Day—continue to bring a lot of people out into the streets, and that's partly why," she said.