American nationals in Spain will hold five demonstrations in major cities across the country this weekend in order to protest US President Donald Trump.
The rallies, called in “Defense of US Democracy and Against Trump Administration Actions and Impact on the US, Spain, Rest of Europe and World”, will be held in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Málaga on Saturday 29th March.
In a press release, the Democrats Abroad (DA) organisation stated that the “protests will feature music, speeches, signs and chants, focusing on the impact of the Trump administration’s actions on people in the US, Spain, the rest of Europe, and around the world.”
According to the organisation's website: "Democrats Abroad is the official Democratic Party arm for the millions of Americans living outside the United States."
READ ALSO: Trump, safety and quality of life - Why so many Americans are moving to Spain
Speaking to The Local, Andrew Anderson, chair of DA Spain, said that protesters hope for “visibility by Americans that feel dissatisfied with the current administration's handling of the economy and the running of government.”
“My message is this is your opportunity to manifest with other Americans your dissatisfaction with the current administration,” he added.
Asked about the specific concerns of Americans living in Spain, Anderson stated that his countrymen and women have “many worries” including “services that they are used to receiving or need access may be curtailed or cut. Consuls being closed, and not being able to vote in the future,” he added.
Expected turnout numbers are still unclear, he says: “Numbers are hard to configure, yet our hope is at each there will be a sizeable number.”
The demonstrations will take place on Saturday March 29th in the following locations:
Madrid: 12:00 in the Puerta del Sol.
Barcelona: 12:00 in the Plaça Sant Jaume.
Valencia: 11:30 in the Plaza de la Virgen.
Seville: 12:00 at Las Setas.
Málaga: 12:00 in the Plaza de Félix Sáenz.
READ MORE: Why life in Spain is better than in the US, according to Americans
As The Local has reported previously, the rate of Americans moving to Spain is increasing at higher rates than ever.
As of January 1st 2024, the latest data made available by Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE), there were 50,623 US citizens registered as residents in Spain. But back in January 2022, Americans in Spain numbered just 40,159, meaning that in two years Spain’s American population increased by 10,464 residents - a 26 percent rise.
In a recent reader survey undertaken by The Local, many cited political polarisation, safety concerns and a hostile environment for the LGBTQ community and people of colour as reasons for their move.
It should be noted, however, that while many view the increase as evidence of a Trump-inspired exodus, others would point to the fact that the 26 percent rise in Americans moving to Spain happened largely during the years of the Biden administration, and many readers also cited the cost of living and quality of life as big factors in their decision making.
Nonetheless, Trump's policies have already had an impact in Spain. Whether it be defence spending demands or potential trade tariffs, Barcelona city council receiving a letter from the US embassy in Spain urging them not to apply diversity policies at a language learning programme, and even threatening to withdraw funding if not, or the embassy also demanding that its Spanish suppliers prove they don’t have diversity and inclusion policies at their companies, the impact of the second Trump administration is certainly being felt in Spain and around the world.
READ ALSO: REVEALED - Number of Americans living in Spain soars by 10,000 in two years
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