“Civil Action” Breaks the Myth, Adopts “Freedom, Democracy!” Slogan
The citizens who gathered for this peaceful manifestation employed the slogan “FREEDOM, DEMOCRACY.” By using this slogan during a manifestation that was not organized and led by Sali Berisha himself, they set a new precedent after sixteen years of pluralism in Albania. All individuals, argued the representatives of the Civil Action, deserve the right to freedom and democracy. Besjan Pesha (MJAFT) said that “these human rights belong to every citizen, even though they are currently being appropriated by a Prime Minister, who is not concerned with protecting either freedom or democracy.” This was the first civil manifestation in Albania that involved a musical performance on an improvised stage in front of the PM’s office. Banners waved by citizens in the crowd proclaimed slogans that urged the government to keep its electoral promises. “We have not engaged in any war against Berisha, but in a war against the mentality that Berisha represents,” said Erion Veliaj (MJAFT). He continued: “Look at our neighbouring countries and tell me if there are any communists left in power that share our Prime Minister’s mentality.” Veliaj thanked the protesters for their participation in the protest. Most of them were part of the student community, as well as specialists of the state administration that were unjustly discharged, veterans and many other citizens of the capital. Veliaj said, “we, the citizens of this country, are not inferior to the Hungarian or French citizens, but they do not tolerate any kind of authoritarianism.” He concluded by saying: “If there is any good news in this country today, it is you and the citizenship that you represent!” “Democracy is too dear to be left in the hands of a tenant of the PM building,” said Mustafa Nano, a political analyst and one of the founders of the Civil Action. He argued that this action is a proactive effort that aims to prevent the ‘great evil.’ He added that ‘this evil has not occurred so far, not because of the majority, which declares that they stand united with the Prime Minister and not because of the opposition that only continues to mourn its lost power. This evil has not yet happened because the citizens and the constitutional institutions of this country are resisting it.” Another founder of the Civil Action, the political analyst Andrea Stefani, reminded the protesters that “even communism in Albania was a consequence of authoritarianism.” The organizers of this manifestation had stated their goals days prior to the actual event. They had invited the retired community to participate and protest against the artificial raise of their pensions. They had also invited the student community, which demands free participation in university life, autonomous universities and the prevention of centralized power. The Civil Action argues that the Education draft law will only result in the consolidation of the fears nominated above. Previous press releases and announcements of the Civil Action invited all citizens that felt disappointed by the government’s promises: former owners, discharged specialists of the administration, and all citizens whose rights are violated daily and who see no hope for a prosperous future in our country. |
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