Valletta protests: Bonnici doesn’t think ‘anyone in the country agrees with what happened’
Justice Minister Owen Bonnici has appealed for calm and prudence, after Wednesday’s incidents outside Parliament, where his car was surrounded by protesters who were calling for resignations.
The minister, asked for his reaction to the events, said: “Anyone is free to protest, and I am one who protects the rights of those who want to protest. For someone to bang on the window, kick the car with the aim of breaking a window or something else, that is a line which should not have been crossed. I agree with the Prime Minister when he said that even those people who might not agree with the government on this issue might not have agreed with the methods used. I appeal for calm, prudence.”
Asked by The Malta Independent why his car was driven out into an angry crowd, the minister said that the government car came right to Parliament’s door so that he could immediately leave without having to go through the protest itself as a precautionary measure.
“Normally we are collected opposite Parliament, on the corner with the Family Ministry. In order for me not to go there, the police told me that instructions were given for the car to come outside Parliament’s door, so that I can simply exit the building, enter the car and leave. Instead of heading in the direction towards Ordnance Street, we were going in the direction of Castille in order for me to be able to leave without interfering with anyone, but there were those who thought they should surround me and Parliamentary Secretary Aaron Farrugia. One can, by all means, protest. I always defend the right for people to protest. But for one to bang their hands on the glass, kick the car, and even try to cause a puncture... I don’t think anyone in the country agrees that what happened was acceptable.”
In a post on Facebook, minister Bonnici referred to the moments when protesters on Tuesday surrounded his car as he was making his way out of Parliament. Crowds of people gathered in the capital city to protest after the arrest of Yorgen Fenech.
Bonnici said there was banging on the car, which he said was blocked from moving, and it was kicked and damaged, while punches were thrown at the windows “in an attempt to break them”. He said people spat at him and made obscene gestures.
He said in spite of this the government will continue to work for the benefit of the country.
He had words of praise for the prime Minister who is doing “extraordinary work” and showing “impeccable leadership”.
He thanked the police officers involved in trying to keep the situation on Tuesday under control, especially the two officers who were slightly injured.