The march set off at noon from Plaza de las Canteras and went through the Torrero neighborhood before reaching the site where the technology company plans to build its data center, where organizers read a joint manifesto. According to Gracia Gómez, a platform representative, the Pinares de Venecia are facing a double attack: the construction of Microsoft’s future data center on the Torrero plain and a new project to develop the area surrounding the amusement park.
The platform used the protest to demand political accountability from both Zaragoza City Council and the Government of Aragon. Gómez said: “We are calling for the resignation of the two representatives of the two levels of government. On the one hand, Mayor Chueca, because of what is happening with the management of the amusement park, which could not be more lamentable, and on the other, the president of Aragon, who is behaving like a truly irresponsible person.”
“THEY DEVELOP NOTHING”
For the platform, the economic development narrative accompanying the arrival of these infrastructures does not reflect reality. “They are not coming to develop anything; on the contrary, they are coming to plunder Aragon’s resources,” Gómez said. A group of people in their twenties who shared this view was among the demonstrators. “We are completely opposed to these highly damaging infrastructures because they cause a great deal of pollution and increase the city’s temperature,” said Mónica, a young member of the group who learned about the demonstration through social media.
The platform insisted that the conflict is not limited to the Aragonese capital. Gómez explained: “There are already three data centers in operation, but around thirty more are planned in different towns across Aragon, such as Calatorao and Botorrita.” Mónica pointed out that these facilities are arriving in an Aragonese rural area already facing a critical situation: “In rural areas, there is already a lack of basic services, and now essential resources such as clean water are being consumed.”
