The alleged police violence during the 107th protest against Edi Rama's government has brought a reaction from protesters, who have described the intervention of the officers as an excess of powers.
The protesters declare that despite the pressure and force used by the police, the protest will continue and that they will also continue to block institutions and the Parliament.
Activist Luçiana Kokaj said that the protest has transformed into an ongoing civic and political resistance, emphasizing that citizens continue to take to the streets despite efforts to quell it.
"106 days in the face of the government that thinks they will extinguish the protest, but we are still here. It is pure civic and political resistance, not a momentary protest. Today the protesters were faced with violence and police repression, as in Zvërnec. This violence cannot be ignored, it must be punished with high force, not only for exceeding competences, but it is being used to intimidate citizens", said Kokaj.
She emphasized that the protesters' stance remains unchanged and that their strength, according to her, lies in civic unity.
"Our position is clear, our strength is the unity of citizens. We are back in the square because we think that this peaceful protest shows how Albanians see themselves," declared the activist.
Kokaj also said that change, according to her, cannot come through violence or escalation, but through the rejection of what citizens consider unacceptable.
"Change comes neither from throwing, nor through violence, nor in angry escalation, but from people deciding not to accept the unacceptable," she said.
In the end, the activist warned that the protesters will continue their actions and blockade of institutions.
"We will continue to block the institutions and the Parliament. They do not represent us. Shifting attention away from the protest would be a release for Rama," said Luçiana Kokaj.
