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Comino protest

SHONA BERGER

NGO Graffitti activists were involved in arguments with the police and beachgoers when they turned up “to reclaim Comino”. The activists were protesting against the taking over of the sandy beach for commercial reasons.

Moviment Graffitti activists yesterday ended up arguing with beachgoers and the police as they turned up on Comino to "reclaim" the island.

Beachgoers were heard telling the protesters that they had been waiting for a year to go to Comino for a day at the beach, with the activists replying that they had a right to protest.

Beach furniture that was set up by operators at the beach was seen being removed by the activists and placed back again. Activists also "occupied" parts of the beach so as not to allow the operators to plant umbrellas and deckchairs. Police officers on site worked to restore order.

The activists made their voice heard, shouting “il-bahar, ix-xatt, Kemmuna ta’ kulhadd” (the sea, the beach, Comino belongs to everyone) and “Qazziztuna, qazziztuna, tuna lura 'l Kemmuna” (You have disgusted us, give us back Comino).*

The public protest was held to "Reclaim Blue Lagoon". “As the Blue Lagoon continues to be hijacked by commercial interests that have transformed this beach into their private lido, we will free it up with the public’s participation and enjoy a day at the beach,” the NGO said.

Early this summer, the NGO had also organised a protest – unannounced – which had resulted in activists removing the beach furniture. That time, the government had said that there would be enforcement on the operators, but in the following days the bay still continue to be occupied daily.

This led to the announcement of a second protest, held yesterday.

Moviment Graffitti coordinator Andre Callus, Christine Cassar and John Paul Cauchi, together with Qala Mayor Paul Buttigieg all spoke during the protest.

The main purpose of each speech made was to call on the government to take action and give Comino back to the public. The speeches planned were interrupted several times due to arguments between activists and beachgoers.

Cassar said that despite the many meetings, letters and appeals to the government, everything was done for nothing as no one has specified how and when action will be taken to give Comino back to the public.

Callus said that the police were informed beforehand about the protest so as to avoid any unnecessary commotion and arguments.

He argued that the authority and the police are in power to try and control this protest, even though Moviment Graffitti have all the necessary permits.

“We are not afraid of the police. On the contrary, they motivate us to keep on fighting,” Callus said.

He explained that “yesterday we received information that operators were planning on bring their own people to occupy the space on the island and ruin the protest.”

“We do not want any trouble. This is why we notified the police Friday evening to make sure that no operators set up umbrellas and deckchairs beforehand,” Callus said.

Graffitti activist John Paul Cauchi, also spoke during the protest and cited Minister Clayton Bartolo’s words who had said that a balance was reached in Comino as a number of deckchairs and umbrellas were removed.

“This was not enough and that is why we came here today with the public,” Cauchi said.

In his speech, he also mentioned how the environmental aspect of Comino is being ruined.

“We cannot continue abusing our nature in the only place that human beings have not yet fully ruined,” Cauchi said.

Qala Mayor Paul Buttigieg also spoke during the protest arguing that a place like Ħondoq had once experienced the same problem as Comino, but this was resolved in a couple of hours with the Minister of the time.

“An agreement was reached which states that deckchairs and umbrellas are on consignment. This means that no umbrellas and deckchairs are set up before people arrive and rent them,” Buttigieg said.

During his speech, Buttigieg also mentioned how there are those who are doing their utmost to remove him as mayor. However, during an interview with The Malta Independent, he had said that whoever wants to join the crowd in trying to remove him from mayor, can have their go but at the end of the day “people and those who support me judge who was on the right track”.

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2022-08-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://maltaindependent.pressreader.com/article/282179359865937

Malta Independent