Up to 50,000 say No to the Granadilla Port

Mayor of Granadilla calls upon the other politicians to listen to what citizens are asking.

First reports indicate that up to 50,000 people according to the organizers and more than 15,000 according local police joined today's demonstration to say a resounding NO the building of the industrial port in Granadilla.

Among the demonstrators was mayor of Granadilla, Carmen Nieves Gaspar (Canarian Coalition), who said the concept of the port was so contested and she felt politicians should take note to act accordingly and stop the port.

Gaspar told Europa Press, "This demonstration is a further demonstration that the people of Tenerife has taken to the streets to reject an infrastructure like the Port of Granadilla, which is harmful, unnecessary and, moreover, violates the environment and [is] against the interests of the whole island. "

Also, the mayor alluded to the tourist area of El Médano, which in her words would be "seriously injured" by the construction of the Port.

Leading the march was Professor Emeritus from the University of La Laguna, Wolfredo Wildpret, who has spent more than 10 years preparing reports which warned of the serious environmental consequences of building the port.

Wildpret also underlined that 53 species will be affected by this infrastructure and warned that what will be lost is part of Canarian biodiversity.

Another of those attending was former president of the Tenerife Port Authority, Anatael Meneses, who said "Today is an important day for Tenerife, the Canary Islands and Spain because the port has become an icon to which people have said ' no', because it's completely unnecessary and violates many laws. "

Photo: José Mesa who has more images from the demo here.