Protesters gathered this Thursday for the 96th consecutive protest for the removal of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Initially, citizens gathered at Skanderbeg Square and then marched towards the prime minister's office. In front of the government building, keynote speeches were also held where activists articulated their daily demands, insisting on the resignation of the head of government.
Activist Sidorela Vatnikaj demanded the release of protesters arrested two days ago during tensions in front of the prime minister's office. During her speech, she emphasized that the police attack showed the way Edi Rama has governed over the years.
According to her, the prime minister is using the state police as "power police" to act against protesting citizens. Vatnikaj also called on citizens to unite tomorrow in front of the Criminal Court, where a hearing for the arrested protesters is expected to take place.
"14 protesters have been unjustly held in prison for two nights. Their arrest shows the form of how Edi Rama and his government have governed throughout all these mandates, despite boasting of himself as the most democratic, controversial prime minister. He has used the state police as the police of the government, which has arrested citizens with political orders, violating every rule with the aim of repelling, scaring and intimidating us. They have not yet understood that their intimidation does not scare us, but increases our revolt, resistance and makes us be here again to tell the police of the government to arrest Rama," she stressed.
After the speeches in front of the Prime Minister's Office, citizens have begun marching through the streets of Tirana. With successive calls against Rama and a firm demand for the release of the arrested protesters, the crowd continues the march.
"Arrest Rama", "Edi Rama resigns", "Edi Rama in prison", "O Erion, you bastard, wait for Rama because he is coming", "Albania of Albanians, death to traitors!", "Without youth there is no Albania", "Down with the patronageists", "Albania demands revolution" and "The end has come for you", are some of the main calls that the protesters have chanted in chorus. ©LAPSI.al
