On Monday afternoon until late evening, it appeared that the police had the upper hand, not allowing protesters in masks to reach the main Boulevard, Skanderbeg Square, and the main streets. A perception was created that the police had managed to contain them, but today the picture was different. Yesterday morning and at noon, university professors also took to the streets, of course together with students. The professors represented by the Union demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Rama. There were no clashes with the police, just a peaceful protest, creating a mistaken, momentary perception that violence was turning into “flamingo 2”.
When the flamingo protests were massive, the Prime Minister did not feel well. While the government appeared worried about the violence and burning across Tirana, in reality it was rubbing its hands, since the public does not want violence and fire, and so the EU and US embassies came out and condemned the violence of the protesters. Whether by chance or by mistake remains to be seen, they did not say a single word about the police’s reprisals, which must be acknowledged had moments entirely out of proportion. While the protest was peaceful, including with professors, the masks came and they started with the stones. The peace between the protesters and the police was broken.
Then mass gas, water cannons that did not stop. Stones again from people in masks. And the police fighting in every street as if they had enemies in front of them.
