Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1403840
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 AUGUST 2021 OPINION Annalise Ebejer Studenti Graffitti: Back in Action ROOTED in action, Movement Graffiti is Malta's NGO at the forefront of equal- ity for all. Always thinking of bold actions that can be a catalyst for change, they have become well known nowadays as a leftist movement holding a strong stance on var- ious political issues. Studenti Graffitti is the organisation's youth movement and adopts the same con- cept. Moviment Graffitti knows its roots as a left-wing student-led movement emerg- ing in 1994, where their first protest was held at Junior College. Studenti Graffitti exists primarily in order to effectively look at difficulties youths, especially students face. Therefore, we work closely with stu- dent organizations and involve ourselves in as many university campaigns as possi- ble. The aim is to grow our presence with- in post-secondary venues such as MCAST and university. There we can find the peo- ple who also want to support our socialist ideals, who have the desire and tendency to think of ways that can better society. In Studenti Graffitti, we actively believe in creating an impactful and lasting change. We believe that this comes naturally if members adhere to the same political ide- ology while also viewing solidarity as para- mount in an activist group. Like Moviment Graffitti, Studenti Graffitti believes in a free and radical democracy that leaves the power in the hands of the many and not the few - leading therefore to justice and equality to all. Our vision for the future is simple: a Malta where everyone can be free to achieve what they want without any dis- crimination, exploitation or political and climate obstructions. This cannot happen until we put in force measurements that highlight the sanctity of life, not just human life but even nature. Another important aspect of the organ- isation is that there is no hierarchy within the group itself, following what Moviment Graffitti already does. There is a person who is a point of contact for students, but every- one's opinions are discussed and debated. We follow the principle of egalitarianism, as everyone is valued as equal, ensuring team- work. This means that responsibilities, du- ties and tasks are fairly shared by everyone. Ultimately this is what makes the work pro- ductive, transparent and of good quality. We are a movement whose focus is about local pressing issues, where we take a bot- toms up approach to our strategies. These objectives are kept in mind throughout the meetings we organise. We discuss the way forward in terms of social improvements – how can abortion be legalised and how can people be educated on such a controversial topic? How can we campaign for a fair and adequate minimum wage? Since 2016, the organisation has been leading the effort for environmental and social justice on the Islands with campaigns ranging from Qala in Gozo to Marsaskala in Malta. As part of this ongoing campaign Graffitti organised several actions - includ- ing the much covered and talked about di- rect action at PA when we stormed their of- fices with our drums. Students and youths who were part of Graffitti were present for the protest and since then have carried the spirit of activism through Studenti Graffit- ti. Particularly, we have been a strong voice within KPS (Kummissjoni Politika Soċjali), or as it is known now as the KSU Commis- sion. We have made certain to have clear, research-based debates and to take a stand when our values were compromised, such as our stance on decriminalizing abortion. Through meetings, research and collabo- rations with other youth organisations such as KSU, we can manage to better under- stand what the current generations think and so find real, active solutions. The group takes on further tasks, where people can showcase their skills, in market- ing, social media, proofreading, article writ- ing, organising meetings, etc that all con- tribute to an efficient youth group. Many of our members are students in secondary, post-secondary or tertiary studies, with a variety of degrees being studied, allowing us to have a rich atmosphere of different back- grounds and cultures. In 2019, Studenti Graffitti participated in the Global Climate Strike for the Future protest where we marched from the Uni- versity of Malta to Parliament. We were al- so active around the university, organizing a meet and greet on the university campus and even holding a stand at Freshers' Week so that students have the opportunity to ask questions and get to know the organisation more. For the upcoming academic year, we are investing time and effort in the question of the decriminalisation of abortion bill, the economic realities faced by students and the situation regarding housing for students. Of course, we do crack open a can of beer or have a BBQ now and then to socialise and unwind, maybe throw a joke about yet another failed minister's attempt to plant trees after cutting those that already were there! If you think you would like to be part of a cultural revolution where your voice is not only heard, but also used to create change, you can check out the Moviment Graffitti website, our Facebook and Insta- gram pages. Annalise Ebejer is a member of Moviment Graffitti that will take up every square inch of the entire Marsaskala coastline, to the detriment of local residents - but it is even resorting to exactly the same ex- cuses used by Eddie Fenech Ad- ami all those years ago. "A government needs to decide at the end of the day. There is an element of 'not in my backyard' too." Those are actually Aaron Farrugia's words, spoken this week. But they just as easily have been Eddie Fenech Adami's re- sponse to criticism of both the Freeport, and the Gudja termi- nal, way back in the early 1990s. With, I suppose, one small dif- ference. Those two projects – controversial though they unde- niably were, in their day – were both nonetheless highly neces- sary (vital, even) infrastructural undertakings that simply had to happen, one way or another. For while a country can always get by without an additional yacht marina, or two… it cannot possibly hope to even survive, without an airport that can ac- tually handle mass-tourism; or a port that can unload large quan- tities of freight cargo. So to even suggest that a pri- vate yacht marina – of all un- earthly things – can be placed on the same level as two such emi- nently important, indispensable infrastructural projects… oh, I don't know. It seems to echo the same hint of pointless surrealism that permeates both 'Toninu', and 'Lanca Gejja W Ohra Sejra'. Either way, however, Farrugia's entire argument – i.e., that it's Ok for a Labour government to ride roughshod over Marsaskala residents today, because… um… that's what the Nationalists did 30 years ago, or more… Well, it only points in one di- rection, really. It forces us to confront the fact that – while administrations of government may indeed 'change', from time to time - the impact of their de- cisions on us common mortals out here (whether we live in Bir- zebbugia, Marsaskala, Gudja, or anywhere else) always remains exactly the same. It's 'from Marsaxlokk, to Wied Il-Ghajn'… over, and over again…