The merchants of Palma, fearful of the Blocus protest: "Close earlier and ask your insurance if it covers you"

PalmaThe "peaceful" protest by the Blocus movement called for this Friday in Palma has set off alarms among the city's merchants, who view what might happen with concern and fear. So much so that Afedeco, as its manager, Antonio Vilella, explained to this newspaper, has recommended to its members that they "close around 6:30 PM to avoid being open during the demonstration" and that they ask their insurance companies now "what they cover and if they would repair the storefronts if they are broken during the night and the products that might be stolen from them".

The concern among merchants is so great that, when the media made public the protest called for Friday, they demanded an urgent meeting with the Spanish government delegate in the Balearic Islands to demand more protection and police presence. Specifically, all the merchant associations of Palma are calling for strengthening preventive police presence in commercial areas and during the hours of greatest risk, improving coordination between state security forces and local police, and establishing a direct communication channel with business organizations to report incidents and facilitate a rapid response. The sector also demands that specific protection measures be evaluated and requests that the meeting be held as a priority, while the necessary preventive actions are being studied.

Afedeco has also warned its members about which areas are the most sensitive and dangerous, and although only a few hours have passed since the request, they are demanding an immediate response and a "thorough" plan from the delegation of the Spanish government in the Balearic Islands and from the state's security forces and corps.

It must be remembered that the Gen Z group, linked to the Blocus movement, has been the driving force behind the protest called for this Friday in Palma. Despite the violent actions that have been experienced in recent days throughout Spain, the organizers of the protest in Palma have "categorically" rejected any act of vandalism or violence against public or private property. In a message disseminated through the Telegram group where the mobilization is being promoted, the organizers have defended that the protest will be governed by the principles of pacifism, dignity, and respect, after some messages in the chat referred to possible looting of luxury shops and violent responses to police actions. The group has asked participants to behave in an exemplary manner and has argued that the strength of the mobilization lies in a "massive, firm, and organized" demonstration.

The organizers are calling for a gathering this Friday at 7:30 PM at the Plaça d'Espanya in Palma, although the Spanish Government Delegation has confirmed that, for the moment, no protest has been officially notified. The National Police have already planned a security operation that has been reinforced following the concerns expressed, among others, by the merchants' association Afedeco. The President of the Government, Marga Prohens, has demanded a broad police deployment. The Delegation states that it is working in coordination with the National Police to guarantee public safety and prevent possible incidents.