”St. George’s Square in Victoria, Gozo is completely taken over by tables and chairs put outside by catering establishments,” said activist group Moviment Graffitti.
This Saturday, the 15th of June, at 11am, Moviment Graffitti said it will be joining Archpriest Joseph Curmi, La Stella Philharmonic Society and Il-Hagar museum to give a Press Conference in St. George’s Square about this situation.
The NGOs Ghawdix, Din l-Art Helwa – Ghawdex and Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA), together with groups of residents from other affected localities, will also be participating.
Moviment Graffitti stressed that ”the message of this press conference is not against the establishments, but it is against abuse, and against the authorities who are allowing this abuse to continue.”
The organisers argued that ”the square has become totally occupied by catering furniture to the point that not only public access is being obstructed, but even occasions such as weddings and funerals are being hindered.” In the words of the Archpriest of the Basilica of St.George, “the situation has now reached the brink.”
St. George’s Square belongs to everyone, said the organisers, ”and no one has the right to grab public land and do whatever they like with it.”
They insisted that ”the pedestrianisation of the square was meant for the people’s enjoyment of the square, and not for the square to end up being exploited by the greed of some.”
The organisers went on to say that ”it is evident that the balance between commercial interests and community interests is not being met. Not only is it not being met, but it is clear that only the interests of those who abuse public space are being considered.”
The organisers argued that ”despite the various attempts at dialogue and compromise, the responsible authorities, namely the Lands Authority, the Planning Authority, and the Maltese Tourism Authority, continue to shirk their responsibility and let abuse reign free in the square.”
”The lack of action and enforcement on the part of the responsible authorities is only incentivising further abuse,” they said.
The organisers stated that ”currently, the four entrances to the square are all blocked. The situation is so grave that anyone who needs to hold a wedding or a funeral is having to plead with the authorities and restaurant owners to move the tables and chairs – This is not acceptable.”
The organisers of Saturday’s press conference are encouraging the people of Gozo to join them ”to demand that St. George’s Square is given back to the people.”
In April, Minister for Local Government Owen Bonnici [1] in reply to a PQ, said that a total of 40 permits were issued for various occasions over the past year, (from 25.03.23 to 27.03.24) by the Victoria Local Council for clearance of tables etc and closure to traffic in St George’s Square, Victoria.
Minister Owen Bonnici, told Parliament that the Victoria Local Council “has no jurisdiction over the removal of tables and chairs in any street or square.”
The organisers said that this Press Conference forms part of the campaign ‘Il-Bankini tac-Cittadini’. [2]
Please also see the below articles:
https://gozo.news/98390/appeal-made-to-authorities-to-maintain-order-in-st-georges-square/ [3]
https://gozo.news/109421/st-georges-square-is-a-failure-of-comprehensive-planning-ghawdix/ [4]
File photo: St George’s Square – copyright Gozo News