Cover photo: Times Of Malta

Hundreds of Maltese citizens, prominent politicians and community leaders showed their support for the Maltese police force by joining in a March for Solidarity this morning in Valletta.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and President of Malta Marie-Louise Coliero Preca joined concerned citizens as they made their way through the streets of Valletta. Finance Minister Edward Scicluna and MP Rosianne Cutajar joined Police Union chief Sandro Camilleri and Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar at the helm of the march behind a banner saying ‘Solidarity With The Police’.

“This is a walk of solidarity being organised in solidarity with the police and our families in this difficult time,” said Sandro Camilleri. “The situation is escalating and we are paying a high price for our work. Statistics show that the amount of crimes have gone down, but there is still work to do.”

He lamented some of the comments said following the attack of officer Schembri and felt the need to organise the march to show the Maltese police force that the Maltese community still supports them fully.

“This week’s incident shows the arrogance that is out there against us, even the attacks that were levelled against us after the incident. But we are also seeing the solidarity of the Maltese people who stand with us and with our families, so our morale raises and the anger we have inside us can be translated into work and used for the good of the country,” he said.

The march was organised in the wake of a brutal hit-and-run attack on police officer Simon Schembri, who is still recovering from the attack after having an arm amputated below the elbow. Since then, three youths have been taken to court over Facebook comments making light of the attack, and the police force has expressed concern over the way people have reacted to an attack on one of their own.

What do you think of these recent developments?

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Johnathan Cilia

Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]