The actions by the environmental activists who, with drums in hand, protested outside a Planning Authority hearing last Thursday sparked varying reactions on social media.

Some people welcomed their actions, calling them courageous and gutsy, while others argued that their actions infringed on the rights of others, those inside the meeting who were debating the topic. Some comments turned the situation political, trying to paint the activists as being politically motivated. The latter is ludicrous, given the protests Moviment Graffitti have held protests over the years under any administration.

While Moviment Graffitti's methods might have seemed a bit harsh to some, given that they successfully disrupted a public meeting for a time, and tried to push through security, one cannot help but wish there were more youths standing up for what they believe in. There is great apathy among youths in Malta, and seeing these young faces standing up for what they believe in, trying to preserve ODZ land from development, is something to be praised.

While the activists did try to shove past security to enter the boardroom, the heavy-handedness used by the police was something not seen in this country for a number of years. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat himself has expressed 'disappointment' at the way the issue was handled, himself calling some of the tactics 'heavy-handed'.

Should the activists have tried to push through the door rather than just stopping at the door and protesting straight from the beginning? Probably not, given that the noise was enough to disrupt the meeting. But the way the situation was handled was far worse than some activists trying to push in. The images of two police officers pinning down an activist, with one placing his knee on the activists neck, is not one which will soon be forgotten. The same can be said about a young female activist being dragged on the floor.

While the police conducting the actual removal of the activists had to use some force to remove them once the order was given, some of the force used could easily be seen as being excessive.

One also cannot help but also feel that such action by activists has been a long time coming, given the Planning Authority's less than stellar past when it comes to ODZ land development. Eventually someone was going to stand up and make the authority listen through louder means.

The fuel station policy has been under review for way too long, just like the Paceville Master Plan. The length of time these items have remained in limbo leads one to question whether the delays are actually intentional.