More than 500 people marchedin Valletta yesterday protesting against what they say is the government’s focus on construction at the expense of the environment. Photo: Darrin Zammit LupiMore than 500 people took to the streets of Valletta yesterday morning to protest against what they described as the government’s focus on construction at the expense of the environment.
Holding up placards and marching slowly to the beat of the pounding drums played by world music band Tribali, the protesters together with 12 environmental groups walked to the law courts behind a large yellow banner reading ‘Justice for our children’.
Din l-Art Ħelwa president Simone Mizzi made a passionate speech, thanking all those who turned up and calling on the government to fulfil its electoral promise to safeguard the environment.
“Laws are being abused to the detriment of the environment. The recent case of the permit given to 700 apartments in Mistra is a clear example of abuse where the planning authority’s laws were broken.”
She described the recent permit as a “monster”. It was conceived by one government and will be delivered by another.
The country had sold its green soul to speculators. “You don’t appreciate the countryside and the beauty it offers – it’s just money for you,” Ms Mizzi said.
Malta is becoming full of cement cages
She urged the government to prove environmentalists and those who loved Malta wrong.
“Your laws will suffocate the little green and countryside left in this country as Malta would become full of cement cages.”
She called for no new laws that would eat into the countryside, the garigue or green areas. Old buildings should not be demolished because developers said they were no longer good to be used.
“Use your imagination and leave the towers to Dubai and Shanghai – if you want to build them go live there.” Ms Mizzi urged the government “not to let these words fall on hearts of cement” while promising that NGOs would continue fighting. Stanley Farrugia Randon, a doctor from Din l-Art Ħelwa, pointed to the health dangers posed by pollution and warned the government that not only developers had a vote.
Astrid Vella from Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, said people had had enough of hearing lies from politicians.
The protest walk had originally been scheduled to take place last week but was postponed because of the bad weather. Despite threatening dark clouds, young and old, families and students took part in yesterday’s event.
Many were holding up placards bearing different messages such as ‘They will soon dream of building a flat on Filfla’, ‘Politicians protect our environment’ and ‘Dear future generations – please accept our apologies’.
Members of the Nationalist Party and Alternattiva Demokratika also joined in the protest which was organised by 12 environmental NGOs.
People were also asked to sign a petition for a referendum on spring hunting.