TIRANA, June 9 /ATA/ Ten days into the protests against the controversial Zvërnec development, citizens rallied first at “Skënderbej” Square. They repeated calls for Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation, Berisha’s removal from opposition leadership, and investigations into politicians’ wealth, all while condemning the sell-off of national assets.
After gathering in Skanderbeg square in Tirana downtown, the protesters marched along “Martyrs of Nation” Boulevard to regroup in front of the Premier’s Office.
Activist Alben Kola is urging Rrjoll citizens to join the June 13 protest following the erection of new fences on public land. From Zvërnec to Rrjoll, the rallying cry is clear: Enough is enough.”
Waiting for more citizens to join the protest, the representative of the coordination group said that these protests go far beyond protecting flamingos; they are a breaking point for all the systemic struggles the Albanian people face daily.
So today, according to him, the American flag was also flying in the protest.
The march began, according to the call of the coordination group, with women and children at the forefront.
While they gathered in front of the Premier’s Office, there began the 3-minute speeches. The representative of the coordination group said that there are not 2 thousand people in the square, but all Albanian youth.
“Albanians have come together to save the country from all the injustices of many years, while many young people live abroad because they have not found opportunities in their own country,” she said, emphasizing that they are protesting without a political party.
Another protester spoke about Rrjolli after she has been protesting there for four months. “Rrjolli is not against investments, but against property theft. It is one of the most important ecological corridors of the EU and I call on the EU to turn its eyes to Rrjolli,” said protester Luçiana Kokaj. According to her, there are 180 species of birds that migrate and have their stopover in Rrjoll, which is a protected area.
According to her, yesterday the residents woke up to their land surrounded by barbed wire.
Another protester speaking at the protest said that the port of Durres is a state crime. A former student protester questioned why the same promises remain unfulfilled 35 years later.
“By combining absolute control with communist-style centralization, the ruling class clings to power out of fear of reckoning. The alternative is a renewed society rooted in mutual faith and a credible justice system”, said he.
A girl who came from abroad to speak at the protest addressed the protesters as the face of the new Albania. According to her, this is a historic moment because for the first time in 35 years, Albanians are united regardless of party belonging and show that they are not being oppressed by anyone. /p.s./
