Comments on: I disagree with the anti-immigration demonstrators, but I disagree even more strongly with any authoritarian attempt to stop them demonstrating

By: Denis

Denis — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 13:47:03 +0000

In reply to ken il malti. A system for illegal migration is in place and works well although not to everyones wishes. Be honest, it is the colour of certain illegal migrants that bothers.

By: Liberal

Liberal — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:20:55 +0000

In reply to silvio loporto. Muscat hasn't turned Malta into a racist state yet, but he certainly has given hope and courage to Malta's racists.

By: David

David — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 11:57:52 +0000

In reply to ken il malti. And so say all rational Maltese people, fortunately the majority of Maltese people.

By: blue

blue — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 09:06:36 +0000

I have to thank the switchers for this time warp, are they grateful too?

By: Joseph Ellul-Grech

Joseph Ellul-Grech — Sun, 14 Jul 2013 06:18:48 +0000

“The two most important of all our institutions, namely, the freedom of the public press and the right of assembling in meetings for the purpose of public discussion. As long as they are preserved intact and as long as they are fearlessly and frequently employed, there will always be ample protection against those encroachments on the part of government which cannot be too jealously watched and which even the freest country is liable. To this may be added that these institutions posses other advantages of the highest order. By encouraging political discussion, they increase the amount of intellect brought to bear upon the political business of the country. They also increase the total strength of the nation, by causing large classes of men to exercise faculties that would otherwise lie dormant, but which by these means are quickened into activity and become available for the purposes of social interest.”

By: M.

M. — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 23:18:47 +0000

Isn’t there some law saying that it is illegal to form “part of a group of 10 or more people” or something? I believe it was once of the things you were charged with on being arrested during the schools’ protest in 1984.

[Daphne – “…with the intention to commit a crime.”]

By: Wenzu Cole

Wenzu Cole — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 22:12:50 +0000

So that means tomorrow we’re off to Valletta.

Yeeeeaaaaaa

By: Str8

Str8 — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 21:23:55 +0000

I too agree that who ever wants to demonstrate their views in public, as long as it is free of violence, harmless and is civil, let them be.

Permit? What the hell does this mean? Are we going back to the 80s?

Governments should stand to be counted first and foremost in their own country and let us not let any authority suffocate the freedom of speech and public opinion’s expressions in a civilly held form. Mr Prime Minister, please note.

By: AE

AE — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 20:58:59 +0000

Muscat just doesn’t seem to get it. With every step he takes and every word he utters, he shows an absolute disdain, or lack of knowledge of the concept of human rights.

By: Antoine Vella

Antoine Vella — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 19:32:46 +0000

Joseph Muscat is worried that this demonstration of open racism will put people off and make them realise how cynical and irresponsible he is.

He is therefore doing his utmost to stop the event and the police are obviously helping him. Same goes for TVM, incidentally.

Technically the police are right: they have not issued a permit. However, when they do not explain that no permit is needed, they are clearly trying to discourage would-be participants, in the hope that the demonstration will not take place.