THE CINICALLY CALLED ANTI NOISE ORDER OF SEVILLE INTRODUCES

MORE NOISE IN OUR DWELINGS AND SILENCES OUR RIGHTS

Single citizens, more than 20 citizens associations and the environmental group
Ecologistas en Accin have opposed this Order denouncing that it represents a huge
environmental regression condemning Sevilles citizens to noise pollution. The
approval of the Order has also been done against all the parties in the opposition.
Thousands upon thousands of the citizens of Seville are subject to such high levels of
noise, both by day and night that they are trapped in a living hell.
On Sunday 27th July, The Guardian published an online article with the title "Sevilles
silent summer, Spanish city bans outdoor noise", written by the journalist Ashifa
Kassam. The article refers to the new Anti Noise Order that the City Council has
approved.
The title of the article expresses what the City Council wants the world to believe, when
the reality is that this Order will both amplify and extend this living hell.
It does so by introducing two new permissions that have been forbidden up until now.
First, it allows bars and all other kinds of leisure activities to be open at night, in or by
residential buildings.
It also permits to install tables outdoors on the pavement up until 2 a.m.(called
veladores), not only in residential areas, but also in residential areas already declared
saturated by noise, ignoring the noise provoked by people shouting (up to a 100) .
It is true that the new Anti Noise Order prohibits shouting, singing and drinking
standing up outside bars. However, these prohibitions are already enacted in law since
2006 and have never been implemented and the Council has not the slightest intention
of doing so now. Quite the contrary. The ban of playing domino is just the way to
distract peoples attention.
So people shout in the streets all nights, something the great majority of British
residents thankfully never suffer. The consequence for the victims is illness from
anxiety, hormonal problems, stress and high blood pressure, amongst others. Family
and working relationships are affected. Children have learning difficulties. And the
victims cannot escape: homes are blighted financially. Nobody wants to buy a flat with
people shouting outdoors all day and night.
In short, the protection in the Order is for the one producing noise, not for the victim.
As I understand it, The Guardian purports to be a European leader in the fair and correct
reporting of environmental issues and a voice for the human rights of ordinary people
that are taken away by them by the powerful. We both challenge and invite the
Guardian and any media to see and experience for itself the living hell of sleep
deprivation and constant noise that so many suffer in the homes of Seville.
Dont forget to bring a decibel metre with you.
Emilia.delaserna@gmail.com