Residents, activists protest in Valletta against rampant takeover of public spaces by business

Activists from Moviment Graffitti, FAA and a coalition of resident networks today took to the streets of Valletta for a protest march to demand immediate action against the encroachment of public spaces by commercial establishments. Five months after the launch of the "Il-Bankini taċ-Ċittadini" campaign, activists and residents declared that despite the many promises by the Government that the situation will be addressed, things are still the same, and that is why they felt compelled to take to the streets in protest.

The march started in Merchants Street - a prime example of the takeover of our public spaces by endless rows of tables, chairs and other catering furniture - and continued along some of the most cluttered streets, including St. Lucy Street, Old Theatre Street, and Strait Street. With placards showing messages like "Enforcement not mockery", "Where's the balance?" and "Corrupt authorities", the activists and residents made their point that the time for useless talk and empty promises is over, and that the people are now fed up.

Their demands for the current law on outdoor catering areas to be revised and made more robust, for more transparency in the way the Lands Authority issues encroachment permits, and for the right of residents to take action against the theft of public land, have so far been ignored. They explained how despite their requests to meet the authorities and the Prime Minister to discuss the demands and proposals presented by the coalition of residents, the situation was never addressed, and it kept going from bad to worse.

Residents coming from Sliema, Valletta, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Cottonera, St Paul's Bay and Mellieħa are fed up with seeing their pavements, squares, streets, and even their beaches, taken over by tables, chairs, deckchairs and furniture placed by commercial establishments.

They insisted that they are not against outdoor catering areas, as long as these do not completely take over the space and show respect to residents. The activists stated that it is evident that the balance between business interests and the right of people for unhindered public access is non-existent. They highlighted that the situation has now completely gotten out of hand, and abuse of public land has now become the norm. The responsible authorities, namely the Planning Authority, the Lands Authority, and the Malta Tourism Authority, keep serving the interests of business, and no real effort is being made to enforce against contravener's and safeguard public access.

The march ended in front of the Lands Authority, where the activists insisted that the total lack of transparency and secrecy by which the Lands operates when it issues encroachment permits are of significant concern. They declared that it is high time that the deals overseen by the Lands Authority start being scrutinised, and that the abuse of public land for private profits must stop. At a time when our country is being developed at a very alarming rate, open and public spaces are essential for the community.

The residents and activists declared that after the demands they presented in the policy document and their requests for a meeting kept falling on deaf ears, they were being left with no choice but to escalate their actions. The demands can be viewed on www.ilbankinitaccittadini.org