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ARCHIVED - Thousands join protests in Barcelona, Madrid and Mallorca against expansion of airports
The expansion of the runway at Barcelona’s El Prat airport has already been suspended
Protestors turned out in droves on Sunday September 19 to demonstrate against the controversial plans to expand Madrid’s Barajas airport, El Prat airport in Barcelona and the Son Sant Joan airport in Palma de Mallorca under the slogan ‘Fewer planes, more life’.
Earlier this month, ecologists celebrated a great victory when state airport authority Aena suspended all expansion works planned for the runway at El Prat airport amid fears the project would negatively impact the protected natural surroundings.
Nevertheless, Zeroport, a platform that represents hundreds of environmental organisations, confirmed its intention to go ahead with the planned demonstrations.
In Madrid, more than 200 groups along with politicians protested against the expansion of the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport, which demonstrators describe as “ a clear example of a transport policy focused on the construction of large infrastructure in favour of the most polluting means, such as planes.”
Following the demonstration, which began at the Aena headquarters and passed through the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda, culminating at the Congress of Deputies, spokesperson for Más Madrid in the City Council, Rita Maestre, asked that the millions allocated to the expansion of Barajas be instead invested in the fight against pollution in the city.
In Barcelona, some 10,000 people turned out on Calle Tarragona, between Plaza de Sants and Plaza de España, filling both streets with protestors and cutting off traffic for the duration. Zeroport spokesperson Sara Mingorria demanded that, in addition to the works to El Plat being cancelled, short flights throughout Spain be eliminated and that smaller airports showing a deficit be closed down for good.
Meanwhile, in Palma de Mallorca, around 500 people gathered in La Seu to demonstrate against the “covert expansion” of the Son Sant Joan airport.
Image: Eccologistas en Accion Twitter
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