In the Bulletin last week we reported on the disquiet in Arenal at the opening of an establishment run by the United Tribuns, an association founded in Germany in 2004. Described as a "rockers" association, United Tribuns defines itself as a union of bodybuilders, martial artists and doormen. It is reckoned to have some 1,700 members worldwide.
The United Tribuns club in the calle Trasimé, Arenal was opened on 24 March. The president of the Ciutat de s'Arenal citizens association, Biel Barceló, said last week that he was "shocked" at the club's opening and would be raising the matter with the national government delegation and Palma town hall.
The association has chosen Playa de Palma to be the headquarters of its Spanish chapter. The secretary of the national chapter, Gabriel Mas, has responded to concerns by saying that United Tribuns is not a club of dangerous bikers and thugs who go around creating panic. "United Tribuns Spain is a social club, a brotherhood composed of a group of people, all friends. We are very transparent. Before opening the doors of our headquarters, we requested all the necessary permits. Our only objective is to integrate ourselves into the neighbourhood and to contribute our bit to improving it."
The president of the brotherhood, Stefan Milojevic, explains that the group has absolutely nothing to hide. "We want to be respected. We don't want people to be afraid of us. At the moment there are ten founding members, and we hope to increase these in the future. We intend becoming a motorbike and social club. We are upset by the wrong image portrayed of us. Many people, including the international press, say we want to create a war with Hells Angels. This is absurd. We are very respectful of all clubs and associations, as long as they respect us; and time will prove us right."
The rules of United Tribuns are clear in that there is no alcohol, no tobacco and no drugs. Fighting, except in a boxing ring, is rejected, but it is known that the association has had confrontations in the past with the Hells Angels, including one incident when there was gunfire. Milojevic insists. "We are from Majorca and we have nothing to do with incidents in Germany in the past."