Activists from Moviment Graffitti are protesting against the uprooting of trees in Mosta.

In a post on Facebook, the movement said that it “blocked” the uprooting of the trees and urged others to join the protest. Activists carried placards which read, among other things, "Are you mad?", "Leave the trees alone," and "Traitors to the people of Mosta."

Malta woke up yesterday to the news that 50-year-old ficus trees in the heart of Mosta were being uprooted with the blessing of the Environment and Resources Authority, as well as the Mosta local council.

The exercise has been condemned extensively, and a video showing birds in despair as they returned to their nesting place only to find it gone has been described as heart-breaking.

In a Facebook update later in the day, Moviment Graffitti said that the Mosta Mayor, local council, and the Environment and Resources Authority shocked the Mosta residents and many others when they started cutting the trees. "This morning we managed to stop them from continuing with this devastation." 

Graffitti called for another protest in front of the Mosta local council on Wednesday at 6.30pm. 

"These trees offer shade and rest for the people of Mosta and those who visit the locality." The NGO said that these trees also sheltered hundreds of birds that ended up without a home. "You're still in time, leave them there!" 

PL Mayor of Qala Paul Buttigieg was also pictured visiting the activists in another social media post by Graffitti. "Together we fought to save Hondoq ir-Rummien. Together we continue fighting to save the environment and our quality of life," Graffitti captioned the post.

In comments to this newsroom, Moviment Graffitti activist Andre Callus, who is from Mosta, described his reaction and the reaction of residents and others on Monday as having been 'shocked' to find the trees "butchered without anyone knowing and without any reason simply because they want to do professional landscaping. That was the council's reason." The mature trees are protected by law, he said

Callus described the situation as destruction of the environment. He said that the trees are part of the square and part "of our collective memory," apart from offering shade. 

"I always remember those trees there. They are an integral part of the square. People take cover from the sun under them in summer, talking to one another. Now they came and removed them, cutting the branches as they are meant to replant them elsewhere. We don't want them moved. The point is that we want them where they are, as that is there place. There is no reason why they should be removed."

Speaking at 1.30pm, he said that "until now we have stopped them. This morning we stopped the mechanical shovel from continuing to remove them. We believe that they are still in time to rectify their mistake," he said referring to those carrying out the project. "If they leave the trees there and cover them with soil, they will live. The cut branches will regrow. They need to leave them there."