The police said today that the organisers of the protest that was held during the Republic Day official ceremony did not apply for a permit, contrary to what they always have done

In a statement, the police said two days before the activity, a meeting was held between the organisers and the police but, contrary to what had always been the practise, no application for a permit was filed.

Protesters lined up part of Republic Street with whistles and banners as the Republic Day ceremony was being held.

Home Minister Michael Farrugia thanked the police for the way they behaved in spite of the protest not having a permit. This statement angered participants, who took to the social media to criticise the minister.

 

Organisers react

Reacting, the organisers said they do not understand the scope of the police statement when the police had been informed about the protest two days before the event.

They said the Republic Day activities are organized by the External Feasts Committee and it is presumed that the committee had a permit. All Maltese citizens were invited to attend and this is what the demonstrators did. There is nothing in the law that says that people attending an activity cannot protest, whistle or hold placards.

“The Police Commissioner and the police had no objection when we explained to them that no permit was needed for us to attend a celebration that belongs to all,” they said.

The organizers said they broke no laws. “If this was indeed the case, the Police Commissioner knows where the organizers live and he is welcome to arrest us and charge us with a crime. Otherwise, we ask him to try and throw a bad light over citizens who exercised their fundamental rights as guaranteed by the Constitution of Malta,” they said.