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MALTATODAY 22 September 2019

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14 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 SEPTEMBER 2019 ORGANISERS have claimed that 3,000 people answered their call to gather in Valletta. More conservative estimates suggested a decent turnout of over 1,500 participants, with attendance peaking as the crowd converged in front of parliament. Numbers apart, this would still make the 'Enough Is Enough' protest convened by Moviment Graffitti one of the most success- ful in history. While in the protest numbers do matter, each protest also oc- curs in a different context: in this case, that of growing anger at the power of developers in a context where the government still en- joys widespread popularity and the Opposition struggles with the toxic legacy of its own past. In this context the environment has emerged as one of the few issues where floaters and even some traditional Labour voters feel bold enough to express their dissent. In this case the protest organ- isers deliberately asked MPs – whether Nationalist or Labour – to stay away from the protest. In the current political context of a Labour government facing no visible internal dissent, this effectively meant that the ban applied to PN representatives and their entourages, who par- ticipated in previous protests or- ganised after 2013 (alongside AD and Marlene and Godrey Far- rugia who when they were still Labour MPs), particularly in the massive protest against the Zon- qor development in 2015 – in the same way as some Labour politi- cians had joined green protests before 2013. While the ban was limited to MPs, the message may well have kept party stalwarts who normally would not miss an occasion to bash the govern- ment, from mobilising their own networks. Since identification with party is one of the strongest bonds in Malta, the deliberate choice to exclude political parties may have depressed the turnout. But it may well have created a safe space for Labour-leaning people and floaters angry at the gov- ernment's track record on envi- ronmental issues, to feel more comfortable to join in and march without the risk of being associ- ated with the PN. In this regard the protesters have been successful in convey- ing the message that a sizeable number of people can assemble in a non-partisan protest, even if they cannot ignore the reality that the vast majority of Maltese identify with the main parties and legal changes can only hap- pen if supported by political par- ties. One major challenge for the protesters was that the protest, unlike others before it, lacked one single focus. While the con- text for the protest was set by anger at the loss of trees and 40,000sq.m of agricultural land as a result of the approved Cen- tral Link road project, as well as by anger at the developers' lobby following the collapse of a num- ber of houses due to neighbour- ing excavations, the protestors had to create a solid narrative, one which could unite different groups and individuals motivat- ed by different concerns. Protests limited to opposition to particular developments like the removal of trees or the de- struction of ODZ land in iconic locations like Zonqor or Ramla l-Hamra can bank on an emo- tional response without the need of much deliberation. In this sense it is easier to rally a crowd against a particular development than one calling for a change in policies. The six key demands presented by protesters this time round, strike directly at the dominance of the construction lobby on the political system and at the way the planning process is skewed in favour of developers. But in the absence of a crowd to support them, these demands would have remained an aca- demic exercise. How to build a crowd In this way the protest was an experiment in crowd-building. Graffitti found itself taking a leading role for three main rea- sons: it has an excellent non- partisan track record, having protested under different ad- ministrations, it best represents the current anger against big business setting the agenda, and it has mastered the art of turning protest into a joyful expression of dissent. The secret to its success here was creating a space where radi- cal groups, mainstream NGOs, resident groups, cyclists or farm- ers and others could co-exist and merge. Speaking to MaltaToday after NEWS COURT NOTICE The Registrar of Civil Courts and Tribunals informs that the Civil Court, First Hall ordered the following sales by auction: Date Time Judicial Sale No Place Items 09 th October, 2019 11.00am 13/18 – EGL Intercomp Marketing Limited (C20612) vs Gafa' Leon 17, Triq id- Dejqa, il-Belt Valletta Unit with six doors and two drawers brown in colour, small oval table brown in colour, glass vase brown in colour, LCD of the make Finlux, LCD of the make Samsung, 3 seater sofa black in colour, unit with two shelves, two wardbrobes with two doors. 16 th October, 2019 12/19 Broker – Jesmond Mizzi Bank of Valletta plc (C2833) vs Property Network Ltd (C9870) 1/2, Triq il- Kbira San Ġużepp, Ħamrun 55,000 shares in Datatrak Holdings plc society today known as Loqus Holdings plc (C27140); 95,000 shares in Datatrak Holdings plc society today known as Loqus Holdings plc (C27140); 174,000 shares in Datatrak Holdings plc society today known as Loqus Holdings plc (C27140). 30 th October, 2019 11.00am 14/19 – EM J. Zammit Ltd (C37945) vs Gerada Manuel (ID558588M) et 55 JJ Boat Yard, Ta' Ghadmija, l- Imqabba Vehicle of the type Volkswagen Golf silver in colour with registration number UTO 247 30 th October, 2019 12.00pm 16/19 – JGL J. Zammit Ltd (C37945) vs Callaway Andrew John (ID146467A) et Garage Number 3, St James Court, Triq is- Sienja, Attard Vehicle of the type Peugeot 207 silver in colour with Chassis Number VF3WEKFVC3434597 Further details can be obtained from the website: https://ecourts.gov.mt/onlineservices/JudicialSales The bidders taking part in the auction must present their identity card Gaetana Aquilina For the Registrar Civil Courts and Tribunals Last week's national protest organised by Moviment Graffitti was different from previous environmental protests by having directly challenged the power of big business while creating a safe and joyful space for non-partisan dissent. But can they keep the momentum and what change can they expect? 'Enough is enough'… after the protest, what's next? JAMES DEBONO DEBONO

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