Last Friday night the police placed No Parking signs along the whole length of the two streets on the side of the parish church in Birżebbuġa. This was in view of a funeral of a policeman taking place the following Saturday morning.

Apart from the inconvenience this caused to residents and Church worshippers, which include elderly and disabled people, I feel this is sheer abuse of power on the part of the police.

I wish to think that the Commissioner of Police was not party to all this, though of course the buck stops at his desk. I do not see any difference between this and the calling back of a ferry to the dock to pick up the top man in the ferry company.

This incident might look minor on paper but shows a mindset which is very disturbing in a country where purportedly all citizens are equal.

Incidentally, the following day yet another funeral was celebrated at the same parish church and no No Parking signs appeared in the street.

The least we ask for is an apology and hope that these shenanigans are not repeated anywhere in this southern bit of the European Union.