The camp protest which has been ongoing for four days has concluded, but the “Gustizzja ghal-artna” campaign will continue, Andre Callus of Moviment Graffiti stated as he addressed the media outside of parliament on Wednesday.

Callus said that the days camping outside parliament were not easy, but expressed gratitude to the hundreds who came to offer their support. He said that the camp has seen a great will for solidarity and for people to unite together.

He said that the protestors believe that their message has been delivered very clearly, with thousands participating in protests calling for the government’s proposed planning bills to be retired. He said that due to the belief that the message has been delivered, the camp protest will conclude, but not the campaign itself.

“We remain convinced that the two bills and three legal notices that were brought out were done with bad intentions… The fruit of a devilish pact between the government and the developers,” Callus said.

He continued that if these bills were to pass, then they would destroy every environmental and planning protection that exists. “The concept of protection in planning would no longer remain,” he commented.

Callus remarked that the bills passing would be a complete disaster on all levels, be that at the legal or community level. He said that the protestors have noted the Prime Minister’s assurance that he will substantially revise the bills and that he will consult with associations prior to continuing the parliamentary process. With that said, Callus commented that due to the “malicious nature” of the bills, the protestors do not understand how the bills can be substantially improved.

Architect Patrick Calleja, who spoke after Callus, said that the Planning Authority’s record of decisions does not inspire any faith in the future, especially if the proposed bills were to pass. He described the bills as a “shopping list” of things that developers wish to be law.

Calleja said that everything indicates that the PA will allow speculators to continue to frustrate and destroy Malta and Gozo’s historical heritage.

FAA Coordinator Astrid Vella said that the protest campaign is not limited to the topics of environment and planning, but is also in favour of the democratic environment. She said that protestors are very concerned that the government has, over the past months, “limited the public’s access to the courts”. She said that such actions are usually taken by anti-democratic and fascist governments.