Sinergy Magazine Enero 2014 | Page 31

WHEN SOME POLITICIANS DESPISE SOCIAL PROTEST.

It is clear that everything looks bad, especially when social protest is recognized and valued as a right in all countries that call themselves democratic, as is the case of Spain, nevertheless I have the impression, however, that this right is not respected by those who govern us, who in all lights treat us with utter contempt.

In only one dismal week, as the citizens of Caleta de Fuste, Salinas del Carmen and Costa de Antigua, we have witnessed undaunted two facts which should not go unnoticed for the respect of democracy and contrary thought. The first happened this Thursday in the headquarters of Antigua Town Hall where the nationalist majority literally "crushed" a motion for discussion in plenary, in

calling upon the group of nationalist government to request the Cabildo of Fuerteventura to incorporate to the strategy of improving public space tourism the project of regeneration of the Castillo Beach, a motion raised by one party and supported by other 2.

The second occurred this Friday at the Headquarters of the Island Government of Fuerteventura, where we went to present more than 400 signatures supporting the same motion and where also occurred more of the same, the nationalist majority again "crushed" it with their votes, disregarding at the same time those who were there until we moved to support it.

It's clear that the Regional, Insular and local government, instead of analysing the reasons detailed by those at the protest, are dedicated to minimising them, to despise the face of public opinion, to make them invisible to strengthen the idea that it is not worth heeding the requests of four small-fry (when thousands in reality) who often are classified as enlightened and such we have been treated, sending the message that it is best to proceed as if there was nothing happening because they have more important things to do.

I think they should understand once and for all that when a large part of the population of the coast of the Antigua Ayuntamiento is mired in dissatisfaction and constant protest, you cannot look away and turn a blind eye, let alone disqualify the multitude, or ignore them, or try to make them feel irrelevant, showing that there is no justification to talk, much less lift a finger to accommodate requests.

The contempt and indifference on the Draft Regeneration of Playa del Castillo among other complaints, has just generated more heat in many people and may generate more than courage when censoring the attitude of those who govern them. That arrogant attitude and more than enough with the nationalist majority to "crush" once more the legitimate demands of the people of the entire coast of Antigua, does nothing to clear this atmosphere of constant conflict in which our City is immersed, overwhelmed by problems, indifference and inefficiency of their politicians when seeking solutions to their needs.

To the inhabitants of Caleta de Fuste, Salinas del Carmen and Costa Antigua, it is necessary to give a final solution to their problems, an escape valve that somehow will lift them out of the enormous pressure that has accumulated over time by continuous disappointments in the face of political inaction, inefficiency, ineptitude and much more responsible, that most jaded citizens end up begging for what really belongs to them.

Richard Bana

President