Fifty-two groups have already registered their participation for the 7 September national protest ‘Enough is Enough: We’re off to Valletta’. In the days prior to the protest, a public forum seeking the citizens’ contribution in formulating the demands of the protest will also be held.
Groups registering their participation range from environmental NGOs and residents from localities such as Żejtun, Pembroke, Marsascala, Attard, Pieta’ and Żebbuġ, to cultural, human rights’ and students’ organisations. It is truly encouraging to see that a wide array of people from different backgrounds and with different interests are coalescing to demand a stop to the unbridled environmental destruction and a better quality of life. Organisations can still register their participation on www.7settembru.org
The national protest will be making six demands aimed at reining in excessive and haphazard construction through i) changing planning policies ii) reforming authorities responsible for the environment and planning iii) a moratorium on large-scale projects until a comprehensive and serious plan for development is introduced iv) a strategy on roads and alternative transportation v) regulation of the construction industry and vi) protecting biodiversity and citizens’ health.
The public will also have the opportunity to give its proposals and input in relation to the six demands of the protest during the Public Forum – “Il-Proposti Tiegħek’ – which will be held on Wednesday 28 August at the Friends of the Earth premises in Floriana, starting at 7pm. All proposals put forward during this public meeting will be noted down and integrated in a set of reasonable demands, which will then be presented to the authorities after the protest of the 7th September.
This Public Forum is strictly reserved to those who have no means of making their voices heard during five years of legislature; Members of Parliament are not welcome.
