Member of the New York City Council and the New York State Assembly, Mark Gjonaj, has sharply condemned the violence used by police against young people protesting in Albania. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Edi Rama, he calls for the cases of violence to be investigated and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
”No political victory is worth the life of an Albanian”, he says, sending a clear message against violence and in defense of the right to peaceful protest.
In his letter, Gjonaj also announces his decision to step down from the Diaspora Council, with immediate effect.
Beyond denouncing police actions, he stresses the need for political change in the country, calling for the formation of a transitional government and the implementation of democratic reforms. According to him, a change in political direction is necessary to overcome the current crisis.
