Until late afternoon it appeared that the police had the upper hand, preventing protesters wearing masks from reaching the main boulevard, Skanderbeg Square, and the main streets. A perception was created that the police had managed to push them back, but today the picture was different. In the morning and at midday, university lecturers also took to the streets, naturally together with students. The lecturers, represented in the Union, demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Rama. There was no clash with the police, simply a peaceful protest, creating a momentary and mistaken perception that the violence was giving way to a “flamingo 2.”
When the flamingo protests were massive, the Prime Minister did not feel well. While there was violence and burning across Tirana, the government appeared worried, but in reality it was rubbing its hands, since the public does not want violence and fire. Accordingly, 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 actions of the police, which must be acknowledged had moments beyond all proportionality. While the protest was peaceful, including with lecturers, the masks arrived and began with stones. Peace between the protesters and the police broke down.
Then mass gas, water cannons that did not stop. Stones again from people in masks. And the police fighting on every street as if there were enemies in front of them.
