The following is a round up of the reports about today’s protest held against developers.
‘You disgust us’: citizens protest developers’ ‘arrogance’ – The Times
Hundreds of people chanted against “developers’ rule” as they held a protest on Tuesday in the wake of three building collapses in two months because of adjoining sites under excavation. Protesters marched to the offices of the Malta Developers Association in Guardamangia on Tuesday
Residents who used to live in a building that collapsed in April and other victims of last week’s collapse led the way and there were emotional scenes as the protest paused in front of the apartment block where a wall collapsed last week. (The Times )
Hundreds march in protest against the ‘reign of developers’ – The Malta Independent
At the site, protestors sang a rendition of the famous song You’ll Never Walk Alone which was at the request of one of the collapsed building’s residents, who said that he wished for everyone to know that they were never alone no matter what. Over there, Moviment Graffitti’s Wayne Flask said, seemingly addressing developers that the crowds had gathered to protest against their “spectacular” arrogance and against how they “bully and destroy the lives of residents.” “They told us that we are against progress; progress is not destroying other people’s houses and it is not giving miserable salaries to workers and saving off health and safety costs”, he said. He called for developers to give their workers the dignity that they deserve and not use them for their advantage. (The Malta Independent)
Hundreds march against ‘developers’ dictatorship’ – MaltaToday
Graffitti’s André callus told MaltaToday the day before the protest that developers had amassed too much power over the years and this has resulted in government policies reflecting their interests over that of everyday citizens. Authorities, he said, were often servile to this class of people. Callus said the protest had been organised because of the group’s belief in the power of civil society. (MaltaToday)
The protest was led by Moviment Graffitti but saw the participation of Alleanza Kontra l-Fqar, Archaeology Society of Malta, Bicycle Advocacy Group, Din L-Art Helwa, Flimkien Ghall-Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Futur Ambjent Wiehed, Isles of the Left, Repubblika, Zminijietna – Voice of the Left.
Via Times of Malta / MaltaToday / Malta Independentnt
