<\/p>\n

Apart from being a right (and sometimes a duty), protesting is also fun. It\u2019s a celebration of people from different walks of life coming together for a common cause.<\/h4>\n

<\/p>\n

by Kurt Borg & Leo Busuttil<\/h4>\n

Collage by the IotL Magazine<\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1. Because We Know that PL\/PN are Ridic<\/h3>\n

Many people feel that, despite their vote, they\u2019re not <\/span>really <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>properly <\/span><\/i>represented by their elected political reps. On the other extreme, sadly, too many people adore and idolise politicians as if they can do no wrong. We need to make politicians fear us the people, not expect us to bow down at their feet in adoration. Politicians ultimately depend on us for recognition, and they should serve us, not vice-versa. But we mustn\u2019t forget that, in the current state of democracy, politicians of all colours serve economic interests\u2014which are not the interests of us the people (see point 2)\u2014above all other considerations. <\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s face it: the PL\/PN establishment have let us the people down for years. They suffocate and hijack all spaces where a politics that is not destructively partisan can happen. Many of us have heard partisans utter boring mantras such as \u201cfejn kontu\u2026?\u201d (\u201cwhere were you when\u2026?\u201d). In an attempt to discredit and tarnish the credibility of activists by making them appear driven by partisan interests, these trolls imply that activists were not protesting when the other party was in power. This couldn\u2019t be any farther from the truth. Most activists protest <\/span>irrespective<\/span><\/i> of who\u2019s in power.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Let\u2019s destroy this boring mantra by being able to say that <\/span><\/em>we were there<\/span>, and it\u2019s them who were busy trolling and lying on FB while we the people did their work of resistance.<\/span><\/em>[\/perfectpullquote]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On the contrary, it\u2019s such partisan trolls who have no ounce of credibility since it\u2019s them who change the tune depending on who\u2019s in power. So let\u2019s destroy this boring mantra by being able to say that <\/span>we were there<\/span><\/i>, and it\u2019s them who were busy trolling and lying on FB while we the people did their work of resistance.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. Because We the People Aren\u2019t Just Shitty Economists<\/h3>\n

Quality of life is booming, they say. Pull the other one. What quality? Whose lives? And what about all the environmental concerns that have been raised and discussed? These bulldozers focus on the \u2018built\u2019 part of \u2018built environment\u2019, ignoring the fact that not any environment is conducive to social and personal well-being. And since when did we agree to place more value on (allegedly) shorter travelling times than on clean air? <\/span><\/p>\n

On a few cents off our fuel bill at the cost of shaving off a bit of our life expectancy? We are objecting to this \u2018anything goes\u2019 attitude that doesn\u2019t give a shit about how and where people are living. We are resisting the destruction being done <\/span>in the name of the economy<\/span><\/i>, as if anything can be justified for economic growth. Environmentalists and critics who object to the current political reality are often called names such as the following: hippies; unrealistic; not pragmatic; idealists; negative. If these destructive measures are necessary for the economy, it\u2019s the economic arrangement that\u2019s unacceptable, not our refusal of these measures.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. Because We Think It\u2019s Intolerable That a Supposed Building \u2018Boom\u2019 Is Destroying Houses<\/h3>\n

Who\u2019s not sick and tired of all the dust, all the noise, all the breathing problems that are a direct result of this construction frenzy, all the jack-hammering, all the unsustainable road-widening obsession, all the illegalities and slacky work, all the fucking FALLING HOUSES? <\/span><\/p>\n

These arrogant bulldozers think they can pass on top of anything and anyone. We need to stop them. And we need to stop the alarming neglect for workers\u2019 safety on these sites. Developers are abusing precarious labour, and a laissez-faire planning authority is harming the many for the benefit of the few. This protest is calling for more regulation, policy changes and planning. We simply won\u2019t accept the arrogance of MDA et al, who think that they can take us for a ride (and get stuck in traffic) with their BS excuses. We also won\u2019t accept the excuses of politicians who tell us that this over-development is inevitable and \u2018for our own good\u2019 (the cheek).<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

4. Because We\u2019re a Truly Progressive Movement of the People<\/h3>\n

Don\u2019t pour cold water over such initiatives. Some might be tempted to complain that \u201cthe demands weren\u2019t sufficiently articulate,\u201d or one might say \u201cI\u2019m not protesting alongside those guys,\u201d or even \u201cWhy bother? It\u2019s not like it will make a difference anyway.\u201d It\u2019s not news that social movements are ridden with in-fighting. Theoretical elaboration (and not \u2018just\u2019 action) is important, but it shouldn\u2019t hinder action. There are disagreements and clashes in any social movement. A difference in outlook is, indeed, democratic.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]There are disagreements and clashes in any social movement. A difference in outlook is, indeed, democratic.<\/em>[\/perfectpullquote]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Only uncreative and uncritical MPs strive for homogeneity, bow their heads to the whim of the leader (they call it \u201cloyally toeing the party line\u201d) and shun dissenting voices. In any one protest, it\u2019s impossible to meet everyone\u2019s expectations, or that the demands are articulated to everyone\u2019s liking. <\/span><\/p>\n

Demands can be re-articulated; it\u2019s actually important that everyone makes the demands <\/span>their own<\/span><\/i>, in their own words, in relation to their own contexts. The demands are there to bring us together. But they are not a blanket statement; we\u2019re the many, not the One. It\u2019s actually very dangerous when a political movement presents itself as unitary, as if everyone in it believes the same things in exactly the same way. Embrace plurality and diversity, and let\u2019s get marching.<\/span><\/p>\n

Graffitti\u2019s demands are simple and to the point. Have a quick read <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

5. Because We\u2019re Fucking Outraged<\/h3>\n

Many people feel a desperate sense of helplessness when faced with all this. People feel angry, sad, hurt and outraged by the current state of Malta. Emotions are a key part of politics. We rant because <\/span>we care<\/span><\/i>. Let\u2019s voice these rants through the right channels. Let\u2019s voice our demands <\/span>politically<\/span><\/i>. Let\u2019s politicise our emotions by bringing them with us in public, and not hide them in private or among our friends. It\u2019s OK (and important) to <\/span>feel<\/span><\/i> outraged in the face of this intolerable situation. Find the motivation to join this protest <\/span>in your own experiences<\/span><\/i>. But you are not alone. Your experience <\/span>connects <\/span><\/i>with that of others; let\u2019s collectivise our irritation and organise ourselves. We are the multitude.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

6. Because We\u2019re the Change We Want to See in the World<\/h3>\n

Resistance isn\u2019t easy. It\u2019s an uphill struggle. The powers that be are strong. But together we\u2019re powerful too. Let the ForOurTrees protest of last July be the springboard for further civil action. Let\u2019s keep the momentum going and rally our voices and calls for change until they reverberate around the halls of power. Let\u2019s get together and exercise our right to assembly. This is a celebration of democracy; embrace it. Feel proud for doing your bit, no matter how large or small it may feel. This is not a battle that can be won or lost in a matter of a few weeks\u2014our pressure must be constant, consistent and confident. Know that any change that can come about from this movement is thanks to you, because you cared.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

7. Because We\u2019re Fun<\/h3>\n

Emma Goldman, an anarcho-feminist, is often quoted as having said: \u201cIf I can\u2019t dance, I don\u2019t want to be in your revolution.\u201d She <\/span>probably<\/span><\/a> never said so, but it\u2019s a great slogan. Apart from being a right (and sometimes a duty), protesting is also fun. It\u2019s a celebration of people from different walks of life coming together for a common cause. Join the crowd, create havoc, be loud, shout, scream, sing, bang your drums, feel the joy of being part of a crowd with real and genuine interests at heart. The protest will be in Valletta\u2014you can reclaim and enjoy <\/span>your<\/span><\/i> capital city and hang out. Bring your children, your parents, your nanna and nannu, your cat or dog. It will be a nice September Saturday morning. It will be nicer with you there. Join us!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The protest will be in Valletta\u2014you can reclaim and enjoy your capital city and hang out. Bring your children, your parents, your nanna and nannu, your cat or dog.<\/em>[\/perfectpullquote]<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pro-tip: If possible, leave your car at home. The capital is easy to get to either by walking, cycling, or catching a bus. If you need more convincing, refer back to point 6!<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are part of a group (NGOs, resident associations, student groups, workers\u2019 associations, farmers etc) you\u2019re still in time to register your participation in the protest. See <\/span><\/i>here<\/span><\/i><\/a> for more info, and follow the <\/span><\/i>FB event<\/span><\/i><\/a> for updates.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Kurt Borg is a PhD candidate in Philosophy and lectures at the University of Malta. His interests are in political theory, ethics and the art of living.<\/span><\/h6>\n

Leo Busuttil is a member of the Bicycle Advocacy Group Malta, which aims to improve cycling infrastructure and general road safety. A concerned citizen and avid nature enthusiast whose ability to enjoy the outdoors is slowly but surely being deprived.<\/span><\/h6>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Apart from being a right (and sometimes a duty), protesting is also fun. It\u2019s a celebration of people from different walks of life coming together for a common cause.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8599,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[37,8],"tags":[51,15,376],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/islesoftheleft.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8600"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/islesoftheleft.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/islesoftheleft.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islesoftheleft.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islesoftheleft.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8600"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/islesoftheleft.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8600\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8608,"href":"https:\/\/islesoftheleft.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8600\/revisions\/8608"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islesoftheleft.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8599"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/islesoftheleft.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islesoftheleft.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islesoftheleft.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}