THE YEAR OF THE PROTEST

From tying to trees to pelting ministerial cars with eggs

As the New Year creeps closer, we take a look at how 2019 unfolded, and the major events for which it will be remembered. Among other things, 2019 will be remembered as the year in which outgoing Prime Minister Joseph Muscat won the title of ‘Man of the year in organised crime and corruption’. It will go down as the year in which major breakthroughs were made in the investigation into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination – as well as its political fallout. It will also be remembered as a year of

protests. Giulia Magri looks at why citizens took to the streets to protest over 20 times this year. Youths are the new voice for the environment

It is impossible not to mention the sudden wave of youth activists coming together across the globe to voice their concern over the state of the world’s environment and climate change. Greta Thunberg, a 16-year-old Swedish activist, became synonymous with this trend after she held a solo protest outside Sweden’s parliament. She is the founder of the ‘Youth Strike for Climate’ and ‘FridaysForFuture’ movements, which have inspired waves of students to skip school to demand action on climate change.

Last March, students, cyclists, scouts, and environmental activists gathered at the University of Malta campus to march against climate change. The university’s student council (KSU) led students towards Parliament in Valletta, as thousands of students and young people in other countries also demanded action to halt climate change. On the day of the demonstration, the KSU was surprised that so many had turned to participate in the event. Samwel Attard, the youngest speaker at the protest, asked developers and the government: “Why can’t I ride my bicycle safely? And why is the sea full of plastic bottles?”

This Global Climate Change March was just one example of young Maltese people taking a stand. After news emerged that 549 trees in Attard would be uprooted as part of the controversial Central Link Project, a 19-year-old student channelled her frustration into rallying people to call for an end to “the rape of the environment.”

Sasha Vella set up a closed Facebook group, ‘For OUR Trees’, to organise a protest. The group unexpectedly attracted more than 7,000 members, and on 28 July, thousands showed up in Attard, with many tying themselves to trees.

The peaceful protest symbolised the desire to safeguard Malta’s environment and save what is left from turning into a concrete jungle. “We have a voice,” Sasha yelled to the crowd, “and we are using it to stand up for our environment.”

Shortly after the protest, Sasha and other young activists hung crosses on tree stumps at the Santa Luċija playground, where around 300 trees were chopped down to make way for a €20 million tunnel project. The playground, which had only recently been renovated, was described as a cemetery by the activists, who soon faced backlash for daring to stand up against the government and developers. Among the many other insults she has received since the start of her campaign, Sasha was described as ‘ugly’ by online trolls.

Such attacks are not uncommon. Eve Borg Bonello, a 16-year-old student and anti-corruption activist has received several death threats in response to her participation in recent protest. One particularly hideous threat even alluded to the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. When Eve tried to file a police report, however, she was ‘advised’ to keep her opinion to herself.

Whilst the fight for environmental awareness is sure to continue in 2020, Maltese youths and environmentalists had a moment of victory in October, when Parliament finally declared a climate change emergency, calling for action on the issue.

Putting an end to the ‘reign of developers’

2019 was an extremely important year for Moviment Graffitti, which celebrated its 25th anniversary. The group has always been at the forefront of the fight against oppression and the exploitation of people and the environment.

From camping for five days outside the Planning Authority back in April, to storming the entrance of Castille and ultimately carrying out a five-hour protest inside the building, Moviment Graffitti activists continue to voice the island’s discontent.

Two of their largest protests this year served as a callout to those developers blinded by ignorance and money. After three buildings collapsed in the space of two months last June, frustration over the country’s lack of construction regulations reached breaking point. Months after the incident, many residents affected remain without a home. “They (developers) told us that we are against progress, but progress is not destroying other people’s houses, and it is not paying workers miserably and saving off safety costs,” Moviment Graffitti’s Wayne Flask said during a protest in Gwardamanġa. The residents of buildings which collapsed have also spoken out, expressing feelings of frustration and helplessness as they are left with nothing more than the clothes on their back. They have vowed to keep fighting for justice.

Whilst the prime minister ordered a moratorium on all excavation and demolition works after the third building collapsed, and later announced new construction site regulations, this was not enough to stop Moviment Graffitti from taking to the streets again.

After weeks of planning and organising, on 7 September, thousands gathered in Valletta to say “enough is enough” and show their anger at Malta’s planning regime and class of developers who have been accused of taking control of government policies on construction and planning.

People took to the streets of Valletta to the sound of drum beats, bongos and chants. Apart from a few Alternattiva Demokratika representatives and independent candidates, there were no active members of the two main political parties.

Participants were not just protesting against the Attard and Santa Luċija projects, but also about the damaged houses and the proposed extension of the American University of Malta campus in Cospicua.

It was a protest for a better quality of life for today and tomorrow’s generations.

It highlighted excessive development around the island and a lack of green spaces, the increasing noise pollution and traffic issues.

The abortion debate

In 2019, Malta also saw a new pro-abortion group set up, which began more structured discussions on an extremely difficult topic. ‘Doctors for Choice’ was set up to lobby for the introduction of abortion in Malta, demanding that healthcare services provide safe access to abortions.

‘Voice for Choice’, another pro-abortion group was also set up earlier in the year, and in September they organised the first ‘Rally for Choice’ at the Hastings Garden. On the same day in Valletta, an anti-abortion group also staged its own rally in Republic Street. Although abortion is still illegal in Malta, that fact that such groups, which include a number of doctors, have called for the procedure to be introduced is likely to see more rallies and debates on the issue.

Calls for justice

Throughout the year, many attended the monthly vigils calling for justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia. Initially, small crowds would attend these vigils, but everything changed after the arrest of 17 Black owner Yorgen Fenech, after he allegedly tried to flee the island. Fenech has been charged with complicity in the murder.

Since 21 November, protestors have gathered in Valletta, calling for the end to corruption and injustice. These protests are unprecedented. There is, in fact, a Wikipedia page on them. Over 15 protests have taken place since the end of November.

Parliament and Castille were closed off by rows of metal barriers for days. Protestors did not simply march with placards this time, but they threw eggs, coins and carrots. On one occasion they even managed to throw fake money at MPs from Parliament’s Strangers’ Gallery.

Although Keith Schembri resigned as OPM chief of staff and Joseph Muscat announced his intention to resign in January, protestors are still calling for justice for the family of Daphne Caruana Galizia, and for an end to corruption. Another national protest is scheduled for Sunday, 5 January.

The Sette Giugno anniversary

This year, Malta celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Sette Giugno riots. Recounted as one of the post pivotal moments in Maltese national history, 7 June is a date where the Maltese took a stand against colonial authorities.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna said during Mass on the day: “A hundred years ago, the Maltese had the British to blame, but this time we only have ourselves to blame. If a hundred years ago we could tear down the British flag, today we have a Maltese one and we should understand the responsibility each and every one has to carry in order to have a just society.”