Abela, Fearne And Other PL Officials Were Present At First Caruana Galizia Protest
Major PL politicians, including Robert Abela and Chris Fearne, attended the first protest held in the wake of the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Cyrus Engerer, a former PL MEP and current independent politician, claimed on Il-Każin he received “orders” from then Prime Minister Joseph Muscat not to attend the first vigil for Caruana Galizia, a march from Sliema to St Julian’s on the day she was killed – 16th October 2017.
Engerer said he decided to defy Muscat’s order because he viewed the murder as a terrorist attack against journalism and free expression.
However, a few days later, on 22nd October, civil society activists organised the first major protest to demand justice for Caruana Galizia. A number of speakers, including Michael Briguglio and Manuel Delia, addressed the event.
The Labour Party sent a delegation to the protest, which included then Deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne, Robert Abela (who would go on to become Prime Minister), Helena Dalli (who would go on to become EU Commissioner), and Byron Camilleri and Aaron Farrugia (who would go on to become ministers).
A person who was involved in the organisation of that protest told Lovin Malta that the PL delegation was very polite and respectful throughout the event and that no incidents arose.
As the ‘Justice for Daphne’ protest movement grew and the focus of its criticism turned to Muscat and other high-profile government in light of further developments, the atmosphere between the government and the movement grew hostile. However, it is worth pointing out that the first protest at least was endorsed by the PL.
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