An apparently silent protest is present at the winners’ ceremony of the Madeira Wine Rally, which takes place on Avenida do Mar.
With banners calling for the defense of Nature, such as the Laurissilva forest, against the Curral das Freiras cable car, or the fish farming cages, among others, they are being shown to the public on the other side of the road where the ceremony takes place (Praça do Povo).
The protesters, around a dozen, are right in front of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira and were called by the association Iris – National Environmental Association, coordinated in Madeira by Liliana Valente.
According to the association’s call for action, “this protest, organized to coincide with the Madeira Wine Rally Awards Ceremony, aims to raise awareness among the population and visitors about the serious environmental consequences of current policies.”
Among the activists’ concerns are:
– Expansion and asphalting of Estrada das Ginjas in the heart of the Madeira Laurissilva Forest.
– Construction of 3 Cable Cars, Adventure Park and Restaurant in Curral das Freiras.
– Urban project for 9 luxury residential buildings on the Praia Formosa seafront.
– Expansion of Intensive Aquaculture cages in the Ocean of the Exclusive Maritime Economic Zone.
– Opening of fishing for 30,000 specimens of Skipjack Tuna in the Selvagens Islands Natural and Integral Reserve.
– Work on the São Vicente Seafront.
– Project to expand the Port of Funchal.