Hundreds attended a silent walk in solidarity with migrants this afternoon, starting at the Love sign in St Julian's, ending in Balluta Bay.
The protest was over plans for the repatriation of migrants currently holding Temporary Humanitarian Protection New (THPn) status. The activity was also held in support of the nine Malian migrants who have spent the past two months in detention.
A large number of those present held up placards which read "respect", and a number of prominent politicians were in attendance, including PL Whip Godfrey Farrugia, Democratic Party Leader Marlene Farrugia, PN MP Karl Gouder and AD Leader Arnold Cassola.
Once the protesters arrived in Balluta, Dr Colin Calleja, who forms part of the Solidarity with Migrants group, read out the names of the nine Malian migrants being held in detention. He read from the President's address at the Palace just a few days ago. "Treating each other with dignity is the only viable way forward to a sustainable and peaceful world. Retention must replace detention, and our brothers and sisters must be allowed to continue working productively in Malta as they have been doing for years. We must stand collectively in solidarity against such rabid individualism."
He also read a snippet from her speech n Republic Day. ""As a guardian of the Constitution, I believe that Malta should continue to host all those who live among us, or those who come to visit us, with the utmost love and respect. I am morally convinced that we should appreciate, and not condemn, persons who are helping to build our prosperity, who form part of our society, by sending them back."
Ali Konate, a Malian migrant, expressed his joy at the support shown by the 400 or so people who turned up for the walk. He said it is difficult for many migrants to see, after so many years, that their lives will be wiped away".
He said that many of the migrants with THPn status are losing their minds, unable to concentrate on anything except the problem they currently face. "What will happen? Will we all end up sleeping under a bridge and die?"
"We ask that you help us and help government change their decision."
Adrian Grima, a poet, also read out one of his poems which asked what would be left inside ourselves, as Maltese, if we allowed the deportation of these migrants.
Photos by Jonathan Borg
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2jFEuQs
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