Over 80 groups, including residents’ organisations from all over Malta and Gozo, have endorsed an upcoming protest calling for environmental and planning reform. The list of endorsing groups can be viewed here: https://xebbajtuna.org/#endorsements
Saturday’s protest, titled Xebbajtuna! Bidla fl-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar ISSA!, is being organised in the context of widespread public outrage on several environmental and planning decisions across Malta and Gozo.
The endorsing organisations span various sectors, including student organisations, academics, animal welfare organisations, cultural groups, religious organisations, workers’ groups, human rights’ NGOs, farmers’ rights groups and even a childcare centre.
They also include residents’ groups from all over Malta and Gozo, spanning from Marsaskala to Qormi, Mġarr to Nadur. 256 academics at the University of Malta have also endorsed Saturday’s protest. In a statement, the organisers said it is clear that rampant and unbridled construction has upset everyone.
“People across Malta are fed up with the reckless state of our planning institutions, regardless of their background,” the organisers said. “This Saturday, people will gather at the Triton Fountain in a rallying cry for our authorities to listen to our demands, to improve Malta’s conditions for us and for our children,” they added.
The groups are demanding a change in planning policies, radical reform in environment, planning and lands institutions, and a shift to an economic model that focuses on quality of life instead of endless economic growth.
The organisers invite people to join them tomorrow Thursday 25th May for placard-making in preparation for Saturday’s protest. The activity is taking place at 67, Strait Street, Valletta from 6 pm onwards. The national protest is on Saturday at 10.30am starting from Triton Fountain. It is being organised by eight organisations: Moviment Graffitti, Friends of the Earth Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Nature Trust Malta, Għawdix, BirdLife Malta and Ramblers’ Association