Fact Check: "On June 15, 2025, protesters used water pistols against tourists in Barcelona, Spain, to demand a rethink of the economic model they believe is causing a housing crisis."
What We Know
On June 15, 2025, protests occurred in Barcelona and other southern European cities, where demonstrators used water pistols against tourists. The protests aimed to highlight the negative impacts of mass tourism on local communities, particularly the housing crisis that many residents attribute to the influx of tourists and short-term rentals. Protesters carried signs with slogans such as "Tourists go home" and "Tourism is stealing from us," indicating their dissatisfaction with the current tourism model (New York Times, AP News).
The protests were part of a coordinated effort by activists across southern Europe to address the issues of overtourism, which they believe is eroding the character of their cities and contributing to rising housing costs (AP News, Los Angeles Times). The use of squirt guns has become a symbolic gesture of protest, representing the frustration of locals who feel marginalized in their own cities due to the overwhelming presence of tourists (New York Times).
Analysis
The claim that protesters used water pistols against tourists in Barcelona on June 15, 2025, is supported by multiple credible sources. The AP News article explicitly states that protesters used water pistols as part of their demonstration against mass tourism, which they believe is exacerbating the housing crisis. Additionally, the New York Times corroborates this by detailing the nature of the protests, including the use of water pistols to "spray visitors" as a form of protest.
The reliability of these sources is high; both the AP News and the New York Times are established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. They provide firsthand accounts and quotes from participants in the protests, which adds to the credibility of the information presented. The protests were reported not only in Barcelona but also in other cities like Mallorca, indicating a broader movement against the economic model driven by tourism (Los Angeles Times, Reuters).
While some tourists expressed frustration at being targeted during the protests, the overall sentiment among the protesters was one of urgency to address the housing crisis and the impact of tourism on local life (AP News). This context is important as it highlights the motivations behind the protests, which are rooted in genuine concerns about living conditions in tourist-heavy areas.
Conclusion
The claim that on June 15, 2025, protesters used water pistols against tourists in Barcelona to demand a rethink of the economic model contributing to a housing crisis is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that this event occurred as described, reflecting the growing discontent among locals regarding the effects of mass tourism on their communities.
Sources
- Anti-Tourism Protests in Italy, Portugal and Spain Draw Attention to ...
- Spaniards sour on tourism industry amid housing crunch | AP News
- Protesters against overtourism take to the streets of ...
- Spaniards take aim at tourism's role in housing crisis — with water guns
- Spaniards Packing Water Guns Blame Impact of Mass Tourism for Housing ...
