Our target remains the PA, not the police - environmental activists

Following their protest against the Planning Authority (PA) last Thursday, activist groups Moviment Graffitti and Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent yesterday explained how their main target remained the authority itself.

“While thanking all those who have shown their solidarity over the past couple of days, Moviment Graffitti and Kamp Emerġenza Ambjent would like to highlight the fact that our foremost concern remains the Fuel Service Station Policy and the PA’s offensive behaviour, and not the police force.”

“We recognise that during Thursday’s demonstration, most police officers were simply doing their job. While it is unfortunate that a few officers from the Rapid Intervention Unit (RIU) went overboard — grabbing and dragging activists by the neck, and hurling a drum at them — we urge everyone to focus on the most pressing issue: nine months after a promised review of the Fuel Service Station Policy, this ridiculous policy is still in place, unreformed.”

“Although it is positive that an application for a fuel station in Żejtun has been rejected, this is of very little significance when four others have already been approved over the past few months, eleven are still to be processed, and even more may be submitted. A total area seven times the size of the Floriana granaries risks being taken up by fuel stations on agricultural and natural land. This is pure madness and must be stopped.”

“Thursday’s demonstration was an act of peaceful civil disobedience in the face of extreme circumstances. Prior to Thursday’s demonstration, organisations and thousands of citizens had expressed their outrage and incredulity at the Fuel Service Station Policy, which allows massive so-called fuel stations on ODZ land. Even the authorities had admitted that the policy was wrong and should be changed. But this simply hasn’t happened. Press statements have been released, emails to the Planning Authority sent, articles written, and press conferences held — all in vain. Everyone has been blissfully ignored — proof of how the influence of developers in this county has moved beyond democratic control, resulting in the rapid destruction of our country and threatening our future on this island. Thus, as we did exactly two years ago when we forced open the gates at Manoel Island, on Thursday we carried out direct action aimed at putting an end to this folly.”

“Over the past two days we have been overwhelmed by messages of support and encouragement. We now commit ourselves to doing our best to transform this support into a stronger movement that can defend our country from the greed of speculators and the PA’s servility to big business.”