On a sunny Sunday, the streets of Pontevedra were filled with thousands of demonstrators who gathered to voice their opposition to the presence of Ence in the Pontevedra estuary and a proposed project by the Portuguese multinational Altri in Palas de Rei, Lugo. This annual march took on special significance as it was organized for the first time by a coalition including the Platform in Defense of the Ría de Arousa, A Ulloa Alive Platform, and the Platform in Defense of the Ría de Pontevedra.

Leading the protest with a bold banner reading "No Ence in the Estuary, No Altri in Ulloa. Out with Cellulose!", participants passionately chanted slogans like "Out with that filth from the estuary" and "The estuary is ours, not for cellulose." Their message was emblazoned on flags and t-shirts declaring "Altri No."

The demonstration began simultaneously at noon in the squares of Pontevedra and Marín, culminating at the Ence factory in Lourizán. By 1:30 PM, the front of the march arrived, while the tail was still leaving Pontevedra's square. Here, organizers delivered a manifesto emphasizing their fight against what they termed an "irrational industrial model prioritizing the interests of a few" over the "protection of the environment, land, economy, and public health."

Once again, the protesters expressed regret over Ence's operations, accusing the cellulose plant of "depriving the best resources from the shellfish banks in the Pontevedra estuary and urban beaches." They highlighted the "extensive judicial experience" in battling Ence, believing it would be instrumental in opposing both industrial projects.

In recent days, the Constitutional Court has accepted the appeal by the Pontevedra Town Hall against the Supreme Court ruling that extended Ence's operations, citing potential "impact on fundamental rights." This decision, the organizers noted, could lead to a review of the ruling and possibly nullify the extension.

Before the march, Alfredo Otero from the PDRA expressed the desire for "healthy and productive estuaries." He argued that "no company, regardless of political support from the Xunta, should ruin a river like the Ulla or a paradise like the Ría de Arousa."

The protest saw participation from key figures, including the national spokesperson of BNG, Ana Pontón, and the mayor of Pontevedra, Miguel Anxo Fernández Lores, who urged continuous effort to "reclaim the estuary from the plague of ENCE and prevent another 70 years of pollution."