The protest launched by students entered its sixth day with another escalation in Tirana. The gathering near the Ministry of Education, joined by other citizens, moved from chants and symbols of revolt to clashes with police, people being escorted to police stations, and damage to the headquarters of the Socialist Party.
Gathering in front of the Ministry of Education
Protesters gathered again this Sunday near the Ministry of Education. Young people, with and without masks, were seen at the rally carrying national flags and shouting political slogans, including calls for the prime minister’s resignation.
At the outset, the protest also had moments that were unusual for the tense atmosphere of recent days, as some young people danced and sang in the middle of the street, facing police forces.
A symbolic act amid calls for restraint
One of the protesters called on those present not to use violence against the police, while also asking officers not to use violence against the protesters.
Then, as a sign of revolt, he tore up the certificate given to him by former Education Minister Besa Shahini as the winner of the History Olympiad.
From calm to clash
After a few minutes of calm, the situation changed. Tensions began and stones were thrown toward the police, who had been positioned near the Ministry of Education.
Amid the clash, a journalist was injured and was taken away from the area by ambulance. Police then pushed protesters toward the city center and some of them were escorted to police stations, according to the official version from the scene.
Socialist Party headquarters also targeted
Later, the protesters stopped in front of the headquarters of the Socialist Party, where they struck the building with stones.
The attack damaged the door area and shattered the building’s windows, shifting the protest from demands made in front of the Ministry of Education to a direct confrontation with the political symbolism of the ruling majority.
The sixth day of the protest confirmed that the crisis is no longer remaining only within the bounds of student dissatisfaction, but is taking a harsher shape in the streets, amid tension with the police and attacks on political buildings.
The toll from this Sunday includes at least one injured person, several escorts to police stations, and material damage, while it remains to be seen whether institutions will provide full explanations for the handling of the clash.