“Rama has lost his color today!”/ Protest activists speak out: The prime minister’s resignation is non-negotiable

Activists Edison Lika and Fatma Paja were invited on the program “Të Paekspozuarit” on MCN TV to talk about the protest, which today is in its 26th day.

They said that the protest’s non-negotiable demand is the prime minister’s departure.

Ylli Rakipi: Someone came out and read the demands. How did you agree on the demands you formulated? They were read by Dritan Goxhaj.

Edison Lika: This is not the first time the protest has come out with official demands. Initially, the demands were Rama’s non-negotiable resignation, amendments to the changes to the law on protected areas and strategic investments, and the cancellation of the mountains package. Yesterday, several points were set out that reflected a kind of political maturation of the protest. After 22 days in the square, people had found their voice, and we had to come out with a political statement. We had consulted extensively with people at the protest. As you have seen, there have been no protesters contesting the demands. They were very simple demands.

Ylli Rakipi: The man who read them, Goxhaj, was he authorized by all of you?

Edison Lika: He was authorized only to read them. Rama did not deal with the demands but with the person who read them. We have made Rama look not old, but faded.

Fatma Paja: The organization is done in a voluntary and creative way. I am a visual artist, and I have contributed with what I know how to do best. We created the children’s corner from the very beginning of the protests. It became clear how many parents were coming with children, and we saw that they felt uncomfortable because they had to look after them, so we created the corner. Many people I have met in the square have become involved.