TEMPERS flared in Valencia’s historic centre on Sunday when furious locals clashed a group of Dutch tourists on bicycles.
Ugly scenes caught on camera showed a crowd screaming at the tourists to ‘get out’ as the two groups came close to blows in a cramped cobbled street.
The confrontation reportedly broke out on Calle Danzas, in the heart of the Old Town, after a cycling tour inadvertently rode into the path of an anti-tourism protest organised by a residents’ association called Barrio en Peligro de Extincion – or ‘Neighbourhood in Danger of Extinction.’
Video footage shows angry residents blocking the group of holidaymakers and chanting ‘tourists go home’ while the cyclists, visibly shaken, shouted back in English.
One woman appeared on the verge of tears as the standoff escalated, with pushing, shoving and insults traded in both languages.
A male tourist was seen raising his fist and shouting ‘f*** you’ as he walked away, while one local woman retaliated by slapping her own backside in a taunt.
According to the residents’ group, the clash began when the cyclists refused to dismount or slow down as they attempted to cross through the protest.
In a statement, the association admitted shouting anti-tourist slogans but accused the visitors of turning ‘aggressive and violent.’
It said the dispute stemmed from wider anger in Valencia over ‘touristification and speculation that saturate the neighbourhoods and expel people from their homes.’
The group blamed large real estate investors and tour operators for ‘becoming the rulers of the city,’ while accusing local authorities of failing to protect residents from rising rents, noisy tourist flats and evictions.
“The least tourists can do is respect the protests and be aware of how their leisure activities can have a detrimental effect on our lives,” the statement read.
“Because this is not happening, we say loudly: ‘Tourists, go home!’”
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The incident follows a series of anti-tourism demonstrations across Spain in recent months as resentment grows in popular destinations from the Canary Islands to Catalonia.
In Mallorca and Barcelona, activists armed with water pistols have targeted tourists, while last year demonstrators in Tenerife stormed a beach and surrounded holidaymakers in their swimwear.
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No matter the substance of the protest – it would seem like it would be a good idea to go around the group rather than just ride through as if entitled to push through narrow streets on bicycles. If one has to go that route- why not dismount? walk through calmly and inciting local residents with F you seems like it was clearly meant to do nothing but enrage them. Whether they are wrong or right – this is their country and they have the right here to express their opinions. Why poke the bear?
Sorry Woke Walter, they are not angry residents. They are violent thugs who should be arrested for assault!
Respect the county your visiting a narrow street don’t go down it you know it will be full of people In holland they have bike lanes if did that there people would be not to please also
I live in Javea and the colonisation of the Northern Costa Blanca has been a sight to behold. Unfortunately a lot of them do not seem to to respect the cultures and laws of their adopted country. They ride as they do in Holland, dangerously, my wife and I were crossing the road at a zebra crossing, my wife with a walking stick, we were 2-3 yards apart and a Dutch couple rode straight between us at speed, when I put my hand up suggesting they should stop they shouted abuse. We have cycle paths the Dutch ride on the pedestrian walkways, ignoring any signs. They are also setting up action groups against traditional Spanish Customs, such as Boys del Mar, if they don’t like don’t attend. Spain is a friendly welcoming country with it’s traditions and laws, respect them.
Well written, and that aspect you mention is a concern. All this needs is, as you say, respect.
How did it come about that this group “inadvertently” found themselves in the narrow streets among an anti tourist group? If they were not accompanied by a rep from the organising company, then, it took them too long to recognise the aggression, which might have been avoided by simply dismounting, as they would have done in their home country.