WATCH: Activists Descend On Re-Opened Great Siege Monument, Call Out Elderly Man For Spitting
Cover photo: Mobile phone footage from Repubblika’s feed of an activist laying flowers at the foot of the monument
No sooner was the Great Siege Monument in Valletta re-opened to the public than activists placed flowers and candles at its foot in memory of slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
The monument has been sealed off since September for restoration, with Culture Minister Owen Bonnici explaining that such intervention was necessary after it was damaged by protest items.
However, activists this afternoon ignored Bonnici’s warning not to use the monument as a protest site and placed flowers and candles at its foot mere hours after it was re-opened to the public.
Newly-formed pressure group Repubblika said today’s action was disrupted by two men who accused the activists of turning the monument into a cemetery.
“After an activist started filming the incident, one of the men acted aggressively, tried to snatch her phone from her and spat on her,” Repubblika said. “The activist tried to stop him without using physical force, but the man slipped and fell on his back. The activists called an ambulance, remained by the man’s side until it arrived, and afterwards filed a report of the incident at the Valletta police station.”
According to The Times of Malta, Labour MP Silvio Parnis was spotted telling police that the elderly man had been shoved by the activists.
Fellow activist group Occupy Justice described the elderly man as “a regular aggressor” of activists who place flowers and candles at the site.
“Unfortunately, when those in authority not only allow attacks to happen but actively encourage them, then perforce people feel emboldened and resort to physical violence,” they said. “We regret that the old man fell over as he was slinging a blow at an activist and we hope that his recovery is speedy and full. Luckily there were witnesses who saw the whole thing unfold. We are peaceful protesters and we will keep on fighting for justice until justice is served.”