DUI calls protest in Tetovo over street names issue: History cannot be erased

The head of DUI’s branch in Tetovo, Bajram Rexhepi, announced that during a meeting held tonight with the party’s structures, it was decided that a protest would be organized on Friday in Illyria Square.

In a reaction published on Facebook, Rexhepi stressed that the Municipality of Tetovo bears responsibility as a co-author for the cancellation of the names of streets and squares.

“Today, at the meeting of the party structures of DUI – Tetovo Branch, in the presence of leader Ali Ahmeti, a clear decision was made: Tetovo will not remain silent in the face of this humiliating act against its history, identity and dignity. After the silence of the Municipality of Tetovo regarding our request for an emergency session and after the reasoning of the Constitutional Court, which shows that for nearly a year the Municipality failed four times to respond to requests for documentation, it is clear that this is not negligence, but co-authorship.”

He added that, in his view, this issue goes beyond the naming of streets.

“This is not just a matter of street names. It is an attempt to deny the National Awakening figures, history, heritage and every Albanian achievement built with sacrifice over the past 20 years. Tetovo is the cradle of Albanian culture, education and pride. This is where the movements that move Albanians forward have begun and will begin. Therefore, we do not accept going backward and we accept nothing less than our full dignity.”

Rexhepi called on citizens to gather on Friday, June 26, at 20:00, in Illyria Square and join the Protest March.

“On Friday, June 26, at 20:00, from Illyria Square, we invite every citizen, every intellectual, every free voice and every patriot, regardless of political belief, to join the Protest March. Come too. Your voice is Tetovo’s voice!” Rexhepi wrote.