Thousands Protest in Galicia Against Pulp Mills, Environmental Concerns Rise

Galician Protests Against ENCE and Altri Gain Momentum Thousands of people marched through the streets of Pontevedra and Marín, Galicia, on Sunday, June 1st, 2025, to protest against the continued operation of the ENCE pulp mill and the proposed new cellulose factory by the Portuguese company Altri in Palas de Rei. The demonstration, which was unusually coordinated between different activist groups, highlights growing public opposition to industrial projects perceived as environmentally damaging. The protesters, carrying banners with slogans like "Nin Ence na Ría, nin Altri na Ulloa. Celulosas Fóra!" ("No Ence in the Ría, no Altri in the Ulloa. Cellulose Out!"), expressed deep concern about the impact of the pulp mills on the environment and local economy. One participant stated, "We demand a country free from cellulose, neither Ence in the Ría de Pontevedra nor Altri in the heart of Ulloa. They represent an outdated economic model that destroys the territory, precarizes employment, and puts health and biodiversity at risk." Another interviewee added, "We will fight this environmental attack from a political, legal, and social point of view." The march ended in front of the ENCE factory, where organizers read a manifesto outlining their demands. The large turnout underscores the significant public opposition to these industrial projects and the determination of local communities to protect their environment and livelihoods.