San Juan de la Rambla Residents Protest "Abandonment" by Local Authorities

Residents of the San Juan de la Rambla coast protested yesterday, saying they've been "abandoned" for years by local authorities, especially the City Council. Around 150 people showed up, according to organizers from the Coastal Neighborhood Association.

They're upset about many things, from the lack of basic things like crosswalks, cleaning services, and bus shelters for kids going to the Las Aguas school, to the stalled development of the Charco de la Laja, a potentially wealthy tourist spot that they say has been "forgotten." The neighborhood group, started in January, had plenty of reasons to protest, and locals, especially those from the coast, came out to support them.

Juan José Moreno, the association's spokesperson, said that past protests have already helped them get back the local area office and the children's doctor at the Health Center. He's grateful for the community's support in reaching other goals.

People started gathering around 11 a.m. at the entrance to the La Rambla neighborhood. Many arrived on a bus provided by the association. The atmosphere was lively, with banners, whistles, and slogans. Drivers passing by honked their horns or raised their fists in support.

Moreno said he was "satisfied" with the support from people who are both demanding and "tired of broken promises." He mentioned that the closure of the local municipal office last June was "the last straw." He listed their basic demands, saying, "They tell us there will be a big investment, but it's just a promise, and we're tired of those."

He added, "Everything is slow, and they tell us to be patient. We are, but we see them spending 50,000 euros on a town advertising event while we're ignored." He announced, "This is our first action, and now it's up to the city council." He warned, "If things stay the same, we'll get louder and go wherever we need to."

José Antonio García Mesa, a resident of the coast, said he's protesting for "eternal" demands and needs. "As we say in the countryside, only those who live it truly know it," he said. He believes "there are many problems both inland and on the coast. We're going backwards." He emphasized, "Down here, we're always losing things. We need to add services, not lose them. People need to get into the habit of demonstrating because it's the only way." He concluded, "Unity is strength, but it needs to be constructive."

Conchi Rodríguez, a resident of La Rambla, described her neighborhood as "beautiful but neglected, like the entire coast." She explained, "The plaza is falling apart, and our pool area is in terrible condition." She continued, "The lights don't work for months, they don't clean our gardens, the garbage piles up, and they only show up once a year during the holidays for a general cleanup."

The list of complaints is long and has been going on for years. "We're demonstrating so they pay attention to our demands and fix the problems because it's like the coast doesn't even exist."

The town is full of demands these days. The "Todos con La Rambla" platform is holding another demonstration next Saturday, the 26th, to protest the unsafe access at the intersection of San Juan de la Rambla with the TF-5 highway. Residents have been asking for safer access to the main road since 2021. A solution, an overpass with a roundabout planned for 2025, "hasn't even started."