Protests during cycling rally

Staff Reporter SOME 12'000 people took part in yesterday's 26th San Sebastián Cycling Rally in Palma according to the town hall. Amongst them, dozens were protesting against urbanisation projects in the capital including the new national health hospital building project and the second Palma ringroad. Some demonstrators were wearing yellow flyers on their backs inviting members of the public to participate in a protest scheduled for 14 February against current governmental land management policy. Others wore tee-shirts sporting controversial slogans. Some recurring themes designed to catch attention were: “If you love Majorca, don't destroy it”; “No to the second Palma ringroad”; “Save the Real” (an old Spanish coin): and “Save Son Sardina” (a Palma suburb which will be severely hit if the second ring road goes ahead). Other political hot potatoes made reference to recent government dictates on school teaching in Catalan and Castellano, as well as the Inca to Manacor dual carriageway. Some of the demonstrators came face to face with the Balearic leader, Jaume Matas, and the mayor of Palma, Catalina Cirer, who were giving a send off to the competing parade of cyclists at the start of the rally. The mayor commented later that everyone had the right to peaceful demonstration, and that in any event, many more people had congratulated her and Jaume Matas on the occasion than the number that had been demonstrating.