Editorial: Attack on our public spaces

The turnout for Moviment Graffitti’s protest against the proposed marina in Marsascala was surprising, and not only for the numbers. Considering the town has always been a Labour stronghold, the community was out in droves to oppose Transport Malta’s project.

On the eve of the protest, Graffitti stated clearly that the Marsascala marina is much bigger than a local issue.

They pinpointed a series of developments, concessions, land grabs and encroachments that have blighted and continue to threaten towns in the south of Malta, from Xgħajra to Marsaxlokk.

The group noted that it is no different in Sliema and St Julian’s, in Buġibba and in Gozo; indeed, the whole island is under attack.

The protest in Marsascala brought together a whole town, including various associations such as fishermen, amateur sailors, festa and fireworks enthusiasts.

All of them have realised the imminent threat to their quality of life, their public spaces and in some cases, their hobbies. The protest provided them with a rare platform to speak out about what the marina will mean to them and to future generations, a discussion which is never held in political circles.

The ashes of the protest had barely...