A peaceful demonstration took place in Valletta. There was no violence, no racist chants and no threats.

These brave souls dedicated some of their precious Sunday time to voice a national concern which is undoubtedly shared by the vast majority of the Maltese. Most of us take a step back in giving our part. Our personal reasons for doing so vary, from fear to complete apathy.

I am pleased that this protest did not give our controlling media the chance to divert attention to the usual unwarranted claims of racism or violence, so they gave this important activity little or no exposure.

There is justification for this growing concern. This already heavily overcrowded rock is being infiltrated by too many foreigners. We have the ‘legal’ heavy influx of EU citizens finding a residence here, the never-ending irregular immigration and the very easy accessibility to non-EU citizens, who, most of the time, simply need a visa. The major European leaders have made it clear that multiculturalism doesn’t work. The negative effects of this unchecked phenomenon are already among us. I for one do not think it is cool to keep turning a blind eye.

The Jesuits and other NGOs that benefit from this problem have been having their say for far too long. My biggest question is: why is the media not realising that something concretely needs to be done? I also urge the two main parties to find solid common ground, as they are the past, present and future policymakers. Malta has changed drastically. Let us not hide behind the phrase ‘things change all the time’.

The writing on the wall is clear, the problems are real and, yes, this is our country and we are therefore in duty bound to protect and preserve what is legally ours.