The streets of the Albanian capital, Tirana, on Saturday hosted the largest protest march since the launch of the popular movement opposing controversial investment projects. Tens of thousands of citizens gathered on the thirty-fifth day of protests, expressing their categorical rejection of a luxury tourist resort project linked to the family of US President Donald Trump.
The spark for this movement ignited in late May, when plans were announced to build a massive hotel and resort overseen by Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner. The proposed project is located on the coast of one of the country's unique nature reserves, raising widespread fears of destroying the ecological balance in the region.
The demands of the protesters expanded over time to go beyond the environmental aspect, as demonstrators called for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and his government. Participants in the marches accused the executive authority of corruption and facilitating the seizure of public lands for foreign investors under the guise of tourism development.
Activists named their movement the 'Pink Flamingo Revolution,' a symbolic reference to the flamingos that use the targeted reserve as a key stop on their seasonal migrations. Environmental experts warn that the $4.6 billion project will threaten Lake Zvërnec, which is a vital habitat for migratory birds.
The investment plan includes transforming Sazan Island, which was known as a secret military base during the communist era, into a tourist destination for the elite. Opponents believe that converting historical and military sites into private properties represents a squandering of national sovereignty and Albania's historical heritage.
The past few days witnessed a dangerous escalation on the ground, with violent clashes between protesters and riot police in front of the Parliament building. Security forces used tear gas and water cannons to prevent demonstrators from obstructing the entry of deputies, resulting in injuries on both sides.
Security sources reported that 15 police officers were transferred to hospitals for treatment after being pelted with stones and solid objects during the clashes. In contrast, authorities launched an arrest campaign targeting 25 demonstrators, 19 of whom remain in custody, amid human rights demands for their immediate release.
Human rights organizations entered the crisis, with the 'Albanian Helsinki Committee' criticizing what it described as the excessive use of force by security forces. The committee affirmed in a statement that the existence of individual acts of violence does not give the police the right to deal harshly with large peaceful gatherings.
Saturday's demonstration carried a special symbolic character, as it coincided with the 62nd birthday of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Protesters held a giant cake made of concrete, expressing their rejection of the 'concrete pouring' policy in green areas, chanting slogans affirming that 'Albania is not for sale.'
Albania is not for sale, and the protected areas law that threatens our national environment must be repealed.
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Tirana Ignites with 'Flamingo Revolution': Tens of Thousands Protest Against Trump Family Project in Albania