This text has been automatically translated, it may contain errors or inaccuracies.
Vulnerable people
Favorite
Remove from my list

Elkarrekin Donostia is considering appealing the ban on supportive dinners

The coalition sees the rule as disproportionate and with a dubious legal basis, while EH Bildu denounces the "harassment" of volunteers on the Kale Afari Solidariak platform and calls for the ban to be lifted.

GRAFCAV7011. SAN SEBASTIÁN (ESPAÑA), 29/07/2026.- Concentración convocada por Kaleko Afari Solidarioak (Cenas solidarias callejeras) este miércoles en San Sebastián para protestar tras la prohibición por parte del Ayuntamiento de San Sebastián de las denominadas 'cenas solidarias', que grupos de ciudadanos dan a personas sin hogar en la calle, debido a que "están generando problemas de convivencia" en el entorno de los tres lugares en los que las reparten, donde "ha subido la delincuencia". EFE/Juan Herrero.

Elkarrekin Donostia The city council is considering appealing against its decision to ban supportive dinners and calling for the provisional suspension of the measure. The coalition considers that the resolution raises "serious doubts" in terms of both proportionality and legal basis.

The debate began on July 28, when Donostiarra Mayor Jon Insausti banned solidarity dinners organized by the Street Solidarity Dinners (KAS) platform for years to distribute food to disadvantaged people.

The council cited the use of public space, public health and safety to justify the decision, while announcing the launch of a municipal alternative offering 100 meals a day.

The legal basis has been questioned by Elkarrekin.

In this context, Elkarrekin Donostia has announced that it is considering appealing the ban and at the same time requesting the provisional suspension of the measure. The coalition considers that the decision raises "serious doubts" both in terms of proportionality and legal basis. It therefore requests reports from the City Council on the use of public space, public health and the local police.

"Banning is no solution."

Elkarrekin Donostia's spokesman, Victor Lasa, said that the resolution combines the occupation of public space, health conditions and safety problems, but none of them justifies banning supportive dinners throughout the city. In his view, if there are problems, they must be regulated, controlled or resolved through the police, not by preventing hundreds of people from being given dinner.

KAS and EH Bildu complaints

The Street Solidarity Dinners platform has reported that since the ban came into effect, local police have identified volunteers and photographed them without their consent while distributing sandwiches, as well as systematically identifying and photographing young migrants.

EH Bildu has also condemned "harassment" and recalled that "feeding the hungry is not a crime." The coalition has asked Mayor Jon Insausti to lift the ban until a consensual solution is reached with KAS volunteers. He has also warned that the 100 meals announced by the mayor have not yet been implemented and has argued that the work done by social networks and volunteers should be integrated into the institutional response.

You might like

Load more
Advertising
X