[WATCH] Mizzi stunned by ‘pig mask’ protest in Gvern Li Jisma’ meeting

The former minister for energy Konrad Mizzi was upended as he took the mic during the ‘Gvern li Jisma’’ public consultation roadshow, when protesters from Moviment Graffitti stormed onto the stage.

Wearing pig masks, the protestors took to the stage, stood behind Konrad Mizzi and flung fake banknotes over him, and silently picketed the event holding up posters protesting the government’s sale of public land.  

Photos: James Bianchi/MediaToday

One of them read, ‘Sale – 90% of public land, valid only for the super-rich while stock lasts’; another listed the Tigné Point, Zonqor, Manoel Island, Chambray, White Rocks, ITS, Pendergardens, Portomaso, Dock 1, Smart City and Fort Cambridge projects as an example of the government and the business class of "pigging out at the people's expense".

Mizzi at first appeared to be momentarily stunned by the event, before taking the mic again, saying that the protestors had “every right to demonstrate” as the audience started booing the activists.

As the protesters stood silently behind them, the three government officials delivered their opening addresses and went on to take questions from the public.

After 15 minutes, the protesters walked down from the stage and made their way, through a relatively hostile crowd, towards the exit.

In a statement, Moviment Graffitti said the action was carried out to denounce the transfer of public land for private profits, particularly the shameful “deal” with the DB Group.

“This is a land grab by big business,” the activists said, arguing that public land currently used for educational purposes, with an estimated value of €212 million, was given to the DB Group for the risible price of €15 million, for private development.

“Just imagine the sky-high profits the DB Group will be harvesting from land that was once property of all Maltese citizens,” Moviment Graffiti said.

It added that the government will spend at least €75 million to relocate ITS to SmartCity: “Not only was public land given for a pittance to a private company, but the Maltese people will also end up paying in order for Silvio Debono to make his chunky profits.”

Since the €15 million will be paid over an eight-year period with a zero-interest rate, Graffiti argued that it seems that such interest-free “loans” are only available to the super-rich.

“Most Maltese people have to pay, throughout the larger part of their lifetime, interest-laden loans just to be able to have a roof over their head.

“This land is being given to a company that boasts of having flouted the law on political party financing. So, did this ‘deal’ come about as a result of the company’s shady practices?”

Graffiti argued that both Nationalist and Labour administrations have given out swathes of public land for private interests – Tigne Point, Manoel Island, Zonqor, Dock 1, Fort Chambray, Portomaso, Penderplace, Fort Cambridge, SmartyCity, ITS and more.

“Malta is being sold out to the super-rich. We have to wake up and stop this plundering. Public land is to be used for the collective well-being and not for big business to make its profits.”