Moviment Graffitti

Last updated
Moviment Graffitti
Formation1994
Headquarters Valletta
Location
  • 67, Strait Street
Region served
Malta
Website movimentgraffitti.org/en/

Moviment Graffitti is a left-wing radical environmentalist non governmental organisation and pressure group in Malta. [1] [2]

Contents

Moviment Graffitti promotes an amalgamation of leftist sociopolitical ideas, mainly human rights, equality, environmentalism and anti-fascism. It was founded in 1994. [3]

History

Founded in 1994, the movement has maintained a central message promoting anti-racist, socially liberal and environmental sustainability ideologies despite a regular turnover of activists throughout three decades.

Journalist and former member James Debono describes the movement as "playfully left wing, anti-racist, socially liberal and largely focused on land use issues", listing French philosopher Louis Althusser and the musical activists Rage Against the Machine as influences in the movement's early formation and inspiring members' counterculture-based sense of identity. [3]

In the 1990s, members largely relied on leaflets and pamphlets distributed at the University of Malta campus to communicate, as later captured in Guze Stagno’s novel Inbid ta’ Kuljum and in Karl Schembri's Il-Manifest tal-Killer. Both Stagno and Schembri are former members of the organisation.

The organisation initially used the premises of the defunct Maltese Communist Party in Strait Street, Valletta.

Current prominent members of the movement include Andre Callus (since the early 2000s) as well as LGBTI and pro-Palestine activist Alex Caruana.

Ideology

The organisation's ideological references shifted between Marxism and anarchism, green politics and new left throughout the years.

Moviment Graffitti describes itself as standing "against the oppression and exploitation of people, the environment and animals", and for "social justice, equality and sustainability", "with a vision of freedom and radical democracy". [4]

Issues

Moviment Graffitti is known to campaign for issues related to fairer workers’ rights (such as an increase in the minimum wage), promoting economic and social equality, and protesting environment destruction, illegal developments and the privatisation of public space.

The organisation has also advocated for the right of migration for all and against a world with man-made borders, as well as working to eradicate racism and xenophobia by organising actions and information campaigns as well as pushing for migrants’ rights.

Moviment Graffitti has also campaigned for international solidarity with the plight of Palestinians in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, arguing that they face cruel and constant injustice and discrimination at the hands of the Israeli state.

Political positions

Moviment Graffittii used to be close to the activists of Żminijietna (Voice of the Left), a similar left-wing organisation, for a brief period around 2000 . While before 1996 it was openly supportive of the Malta Labour Party, it later switched to closeness to Alternattiva Demokratika, Malta's green party, for whom it also worked as recruitment pool. Yet, it also cooperated with other organisations such as Studenti Demokristjani Maltin during the 1996 stipend protests. [3]

Its main campaigns have been on land use issues, consistently protesting overdevelopment under any government, and building coalitions with different allies.

In terms of political positions, Moviment Graffitti opposed the 1994 Maltese concordat on marriage, called for the decriminalisation of abortion, endorsed Alfred Sant's Labour at the 1996 elections, and in 2000 supported Malta's EU accession bid. In 2011 Moviment Graffitti participated in the divorce referendum, campaigning for a yes vote. [5]

Tactics

Moviment Graffitti's most visible activities are direct actions to draw public attention to specific issues, including protest demonstrations, banner-drops, and sit-ins. [4]

Actions have included activists chaining themselves to the trucks [6] and barges, [7] and carrying out hunger strikes. [8]

While remaining autonomous from economic interests or political parties, Moviment Graffitti has regularly built coalitions and networks with like-minded stakeholders to work as a common front on issues such as racism, destruction of natural landscape and animal rights. It has regularly supported workers' struggles and voiced its stance in favour of workers' rights. [4]

Moviment Graffitti frequently holds awareness-raising campaigns where it distributes information and engages in discussions in public spaces and other venues such as universities, schools, and youth centres via film-nights, talks, and discussions. [4]

The movement has no formal organisation and decisions are taken during regular assembly meetings where anyone who shares the organisation's vision and principles can attend and contribute. Their activities are self-funded through membership-payment and fund-raising events held throughout the year. [4]

Campaigns

Workers’ rights & anti-capitalism

In 1996, Moviment Graffitti held its first anti-McDonald's day, protesting against multinationals' exploitation of workers and the "brutal way in which animals are raised" and butchered. [9] The event occurred yearly until 2010.

In 1997 Moviment Graffitti proposed the introduction of a 35-hour work week. [10]

In August 2008, Moviment Graffitti joined the campaign against the privatisation of the shipyard. [11] Following the lead of the General Workers Union who represented the workers, Moviment Graffitti showed its support and participated in the mass rally held by GWU. Later that year, on the 13th of November, Moviment Graffitti also joined GWU in its protest march against the increase in utility rates.

Starting from October 2016, Moviment Graffitti launched a campaign attempting to increase the minimum wage and wages in ġeneral tilted the, Decent Wages Tour. The organisation toured several localities to inform the public about the campaign and get their support. [12] In April 2017, the government increased the minimum wage by a weekly €8, however activists said that it fell short of their expectations. [13]

Together with 16 other organisations, Moviment Graffitti launched a campaign for rent regulation in February 2018. Several proposals were put forward including: A tax regime that incentivises long-lets through lower tax rates for longer leases; The possibility for landlords to increase rent-prices yearly during the duration of a contract by a percentage that does not exceed the cost-of-living-increase percentage; A tax on empty rentable property that disincentivizes rent on the black market and increases the amount of properties for rent; and Regulation of Agencies and a legal standing to a Tenants’ Union. The new law including some of these proposals was passed in 2019 and came into force in 2020.

September 2022 saw the launch of a living income study which Moviment Graffitti commissioned together with General Workers Union and the Alliance against Poverty. [14] The study found that 76% of single parent households do not earn a living income, while almost 40% of the two-parent household earn less than the established living income. [15]

Environmental protection & over-development

Xebbajtuna protests in 2023 Xebbajtuna-Graffitti-Protest-20230527.jpg
Xebbajtuna protests in 2023

In 1996 Moviment Graffitti started a campaign against a proposed development for a Hilton hotel. This campaign started when the Tumas Group bought the land for Lm191,000. A later investigation by the Ombudsman found that there were a number of irregularities in the planning permit. [8]

In 1998 Moviment Graffitti and several other organisations established the Front against Golf Course in response to the proposed Ta’ Ċenċ golf course, arguing that against the “development of golf courses located on land used for agricultural uses or on land which has ecological value”. [16] This campaign continued for years with numerous articles, demonstrations and protests. [17]

Moviment Graffitti was also active in later successful campaigns against golf courses, including a proposed golf course at Verdala by developers AX Holdings in 2002, [18] as well as at Xagħra l-Ħamra near Għajn Tuffieħa in 2005 and once again at Ta’ Ċenċ. Moviment Graffitti was included in the coalition against the golf courses which included organisations such as the Gaia Foundation, Nature Trust, Friends of the Earth, Birdlife Malta, and the Ramblers Association as well as farmers from the areas. [19]

The organisation was active in campaigns against development in the Kalkara valley, [20] the development of villas in Ramla l-Ħamra, [21] Malta's Planning Authority, [22] and the extension of a power station. [23]

In 2015 Moviment Graffitti was part of Front Ħarsien ODZ, a group protesting against the proposed development in the Żonqor area in Marsascala by developers Sadeen as part of the American University of Malta.

In 2016 Moviment Graffitti conducted a campaign on access to Manoel Island in which the group cut through the gates and fences providing access to the public. [24]

Over 2018 and 2019 the organisation coordinated a series of successful direct actions asking for a change in the law which allowed fuel stations to be relocated on ODZ. [25] In 2020 the law was amended as demanded. [26]

In 2018, Moviment Graffitti joined local residents in Pembroke in opposing the development of a hotel by developers DB group on what was the grounds of the Institute of Tourism Studies. [27]

In September 2019 Moviment Graffitti organised a national protest titled Iż-Żejjed Kollu Żejjed (Enough is Enough) demanding a more environmental-sensitive construction industry and radical changes in Malta's planning policies. [28]

The organisation has led campaigns against the building of roads on arable land in Dingli, [29] private development in Balluta bay, [30] a proposed yacht marina in Marsascala, [31] and commercial activity on Comino. [32]

Feminism and women’s rights

In August 1995, the group held a sit-in against Malta’s stand on abortion, calling for it to be legalised. [33] In 2019, the group were co-founders of the coalition in favour of decriminalising abortion: Voice for Choice. [34] Later that year, the coalition held the first pro-choice rally [35] which has been held yearly since.

In 2016, Moviment Graffitti, together with the Women’s Rights Foundation, campaigned calling for full access to the morning-after pill. [36]

The organisation also campaigns on issues related to domestic violence [37] and femicide. [38]

Civil rights

The group has called for the introduction of divorce since its inception and supproted its introduction in 2011. [5] In 1997, it called called for the rights of trans people to be able to have gender affirmation surgery. [39] It also participated in Malta’s first pride march in 2004. [40]

Student issues

Moviment Graffitti joined a number of student organisations in protesting against announced changes to the stipend system in 1997. [41]

Moviment Graffitti and its members led the Front Against Censorship which started in 2009 following the ban of a satirical student newspaper Ir-Realta, edited by Mark Camilleri, then a member of Moviment Graffitti. [42]

International Issues & neutrality

In 1997 a Moviment Graffitti activist was arrested and charged for throwing green paint on top of an American warship USS La Salle. [43] Activists from the group have continue to oppose the presence of warships in Malta. [44] [45]

Moviment Graffitti has also protested against the Israeli occupation of Palestine. [46] In 2010, following an incident in which two Israeli soldiers shot a Maltese citizen in her leg while in Gaza, Moviment Graffitti and other NGOs issued a call for an Israeli boycott. [47]

List of campaigns

Persons linked with Moviment Graffitti [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dom Mintoff</span> Maltese politician (1916–2012)

Dominic Mintoff was a Maltese Socialist politician, architect, and civil engineer who was leader of the Labour Party from 1949 to 1984, and was 8th Prime Minister of Malta from 1955 to 1958, when Malta was still a British colony, and again, following independence, from 1971 to 1984. His tenure as Prime Minister saw the creation of a comprehensive welfare state, nationalisation of large corporations, a substantial increase in the general standard of living and the establishment of the Maltese republic, but was later on marred by a stagnant economy, a rise in authoritarianism and outbreaks of political violence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Comino</span> Maltese island

Comino is a small island of the Maltese archipelago between the islands of Malta and Gozo in the Mediterranean Sea, measuring 3.5 square kilometres (1.4 sq mi) in area. Named after the cumin seed, the island has a permanent population of only two residents and is part of the municipality of Għajnsielem, in southeastern Gozo, from where one priest and one policeman commute. The island is a bird sanctuary and nature reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Communist Party of Malta</span> Political party in Malta

Communist Party of Malta is a communist party in Malta. PKM was founded in 1969 at a secret congress in the town of Gwardamangia, following the departure from the Malta Labour Party of a group of left-wing militants that had been active in the struggle for national independence. Anthony Vassallo was the founding general secretary of the party. The party first contested the national general elections of 1987 when it obtained 0.1% of first preference votes and no parliamentary seats. Since then it has not stood for any other election whether at a European, national or local level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Democratic Alternative (Malta)</span> Political party in Malta

Democratic Alternative, sometimes referred to as AD – The Green Party, was a green political party in Malta. The party was initially founded by a coalition of former Labour Party members and environmental activists in 1989. On 1 August 2020 the party announced a plan to merge with the Democratic Party to form a new party called AD+PD. The merger was conducted on 17 October 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBT rights in Malta</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights in Malta rank among the highest in the world. Throughout the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the rights of the LGBT community received more awareness and same-sex sexual activity was legalized on 29 January 1973. The prohibition was already dormant by the 1890s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University Students' Council (Malta)</span>

The University Students' Council, also known in abbreviation as KSU, is a Maltese national students' union. It is the oldest extant student organization in Europe. The KSU was established by Arturo Mercieca (1878-1969), later Chief Justice Sir Arturo Mercieca (1924-1940), in 1901 as the Comitato Permanente Universitario, also previously known as University Permanent Committee. The students union is involved in students' national and international politics.

Moviment għall-Ambjent, Friends of the Earth Malta, formerly known as Żgħażagħ għall-Ambjent, is a committee of environmental activists in Malta. The group was first set up as an umbrella organisation for various youth and environmental groups but soon developed into its present form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abortion in Malta</span> Termination of pregnancy in Malta

Abortion in Malta is illegal except in cases where the life of the pregnant woman is at risk. Until 2023, it was illegal without exception. Malta has the most restrictive laws regarding abortion in Europe with the law in Malta held to be influenced by Roman Catholic Christianity, which formed part of the identity of 82% of the population according to the 2021 census.

Heather Nicholson is a British animal rights activist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Maltese general election</span>

General elections were held in Malta on Saturday, 3 June 2017 to elect all members of the House of Representatives. The elections were contested by the Labour Party, led by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, the Nationalist Party, led by opposition leader Simon Busuttil, and four other parties, making it the elections with most parties participating since 1962.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Socialist Action (Hong Kong)</span> Trotskyist political organisation in Hong Kong

Socialist Action is a Trotskyist political organisation in Hong Kong. It is affiliated with International Socialist Alternative (ISA) and works closely with the ISA sections in China and Taiwan. It describes itself as being based on the method and analysis of Marxism, to politically re-arm and organise the working class in the fight for a socialist world. They oppose the Chinese Communist Party, which they claim has made China the 'Sweatshop of the World' with one of the most extreme wealth gaps on the planet. They stand for the creation of fighting independent trade unions by Chinese workers to fight against capitalist exploitation and authoritarian rule.

The American University of Malta (AUM) is a private, American-style liberal arts college in Cospicua, Malta. It is a co-educational institution and its launch was announced in May 2015. The project was intended to regenerate the South of Malta and give said area an economic and social boost. Since the proposal was announced, Dock 1 in Cospicua was chosen for the head campus, while extensions are being planned for other sites in Cospicua and Żonqor, Marsaskala. It was officially established on 16 September 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moviment Patrijotti Maltin</span> Political party in Malta

The Maltese Patriots Movement is an inactive right-wing populist political party in Malta. It was formed in April 2016 as a political wing of the Maltese Patriotic Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 European Parliament election in Malta</span> 2019 election of members of the European parliament for Malta

The 2019 European Parliament election was held in Malta on 25 May 2019. 8 different political parties took part in the election, of which, only 2 won seats in the European Parliament; the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party, with 4 and 2 seats respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malta–Gozo Tunnel</span> Planned undersea road tunnel

The Malta–Gozo Tunnel is a planned undersea tunnel between the islands of Malta and Gozo, both part of the Republic of Malta. The tunnel would replace the Gozo Channel Line, the current inter-island ferry service, between Ċirkewwa in Malta and Mġarr in Gozo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019–2020 Maltese protests</span> 2019 protest movement started in Malta

The 2019–2020 Maltese protests started in Valletta and other urban centres of Malta on 20 November 2019, mainly calling for resignations after alleged political links to the assassination of journalist and blogger Daphne Caruana Galizia surfaced following the arrest of businessman Yorgen Fenech. The protesters also targeted government corruption and the lack of action on money laundering. The protests consisted of demonstrations, marches, sit-ins, and civil disobedience and have been unprecedented in Malta's political history since its independence from the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Volt Malta</span> Political party in Malta

Volt Malta is a political party in Malta and the Maltese branch of Volt Europa, a Eurofederalist and progressive pan-European political party and movement, which advocates for greater European cooperation across Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">People's Party (Malta)</span> The Peoples Party is a minor conservative political party in Malta.

The People's Party, also erroneously called by Maltese media as Popular Party, is a conservative political party in Malta. It was founded in July 2020 and is currently headed by Paul Salomone. The party has never obtained any seats in local councils or the Maltese parliament. It does not contest European elections. It is considered right-wing to far-right by certain journalists and portals, however the party protests against the latter characterisation.

Mark Camilleri M.Q.R is a Maltese historian, writer, blogger, and publisher. Camilleri served as chairman of the National Book Council from 2013 to 2021. Following this, he became an outspoken critic of the ruling Labour Party and of prime ministers Joseph Muscat and Robert Abela.

References

  1. ↑ Briguglio (2015) classifies Moviment Graffitti among the "radical" environmental NGOs, as opposed to conservationists, sustainable development, or local ones.
  2. ↑ CVS Malta
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 James Debono, Moviment Graffitti: Since 1994, fighting the power, Malta Today, 20 April 2018
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Moviment Graffitti website
  5. 1 2 "'Vote yes' for separation of Church and state". Times of Malta. 2011-05-26. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  6. ↑ Cacciottolo, Adriana (11 October 1996). "Protesters chain themselves to vehicles in Hilton protest". Times of Malta.
  7. ↑ "Ħames snin ta' ġlieda". Graffitti. Autumn 1998. pp. 2–3.
  8. 1 2 "Living off the fat of public land". Times of Malta. 2016-06-19. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  9. ↑ "Graffitti tipprotesta kontra l-McDonald's". It-Torċa. 4 August 1996.
  10. ↑ "Graffitti wants 35-hour working week". The People. 3 November 1997. p. 12.
  11. ↑ "Government should show 'more respect' towards shipyard workers". Times of Malta. 2008-08-03. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  12. ↑ "Increasing minimum wage by €80 a month 'won't break economy'". Times of Malta. 2017-03-11. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  13. ↑ "Minimum wage deal falls short of activists' expectations". Times of Malta. 2017-04-29. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  14. ↑ Balzan, Jurgen (2022-09-23). "Study sets national living income at €31,000 for families of four". Newsbook. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  15. ↑ "Family of two adults, two children need €25,300 to live a decent life, study shows". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  16. ↑ "Front lists reasons against golf courses". Times of Malta. 22 May 1998.
  17. ↑ Xuereb, Kenneth (24 October 1999). "Joint demonstration against golf course". Times of Malta. p. 88.
  18. ↑ "Farmers against new golf course". The Malta Independent. 24 June 2002.
  19. ↑ "Anti-golf course coalition formed". Times of Malta. 6 August 2005.
  20. ↑ "14 organisations join forces to save Kalkara valley". Times of Malta. 31 May 2001.
  21. ↑ "NGOs to stage protest over Ramla permit". Times of Malta. 2007-06-19. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  22. ↑ "Protesters block entrance to Mepa for two hours". Times of Malta. 2009-09-01. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  23. ↑ "Power station will 'kill the nation'". Times of Malta. 2010-06-13. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  24. ↑ "Activists cut locks at Manoel Island to gain access to foreshore". Times of Malta. 2016-09-10. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  25. ↑ "[WATCH] Update 3 | Graffitti protest disrupts Planning Authority meeting on new petrol station". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  26. ↑ "New policy cuts size of ODZ fuel stations down by two-thirds". Times of Malta. 2020-04-24. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  27. ↑ "[WATCH] Pembroke up in arms as residents march to protest DB group hotel development". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  28. ↑ Jacobsen, Baryn (2019-09-07). "'The People Are Rising': What Went Down At Today's Valletta Protest". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  29. ↑ Cilia, Johnathan (2021-03-22). "WATCH: Moviment Graffitti Activists Physically Stop Construction In Controversial Dingli Road". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  30. ↑ "[WATCH] Moviment Graffitti blocking Fortina's Balluta Bay works". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  31. ↑ "Marsaskala yacht marina plans scrapped, Prime Minister Robert Abela says". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  32. ↑ "Activists remove deckchairs from Blue Lagoon: 'the beach belongs to everyone'". Times of Malta. 2022-06-11. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  33. ↑ "Sit-in against Malta's stand on abortion". Times of Malta. 20 August 1995.
  34. ↑ Castillo, Eric. "Coalition Launch - Voice for Choice/L-għażla tagħha". movimentgraffitti.org. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  35. ↑ Bonnici, Julian (2019-09-28). "IN PHOTOS: Malta's First-Ever Pro-Choice Rally". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  36. ↑ "Moviment Graffitti: Access to morning-after pill 'a fight for equality'". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  37. ↑ "Reclaiming the night: a march to end violence against women". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  38. ↑ "Protestors demand responsibility be shouldered for Bernice Cassar femicide". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  39. ↑ "Aċċettazzjoni ta' bdil fis-sess". It-Torċa. 18 May 1997.
  40. ↑ "Gay rights activists make a point". Times of Malta. 2004-07-23. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  41. ↑ "Against stipends cut". Times of Malta. 2004-08-17. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  42. ↑ "Students protest against censorship". Times of Malta. 2009-12-04. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  43. ↑ "Libertà proviżorja għal Attivist tal-'Graffitti'". In-Nazzjon. 22 July 1997.
  44. ↑ "Updated: Youths protest over foreign warships in Malta". Times of Malta. 2009-03-31. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  45. ↑ "Protest at visit by warship". Times of Malta. 2008-09-22. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  46. ↑ "Protest 'to reflect deadly Gaza bombings' held". Times of Malta. 2014-08-02. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  47. ↑ "Bianca Zammit considers Israeli Ambassador's reaction an 'insult'". Times of Malta. 2010-04-30. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
  48. ↑ https://www.geocities.ws/frontkontra/ Front Against the Golf Course
  49. ↑ Michael Briguglio, Digital Activism, Physical Activism. Malta’s Front Harsien ODZ
  50. ↑ Michael Briguglio, The Zonqor conflict
  51. ↑ TVM, Manoel Island
  52. ↑ MT Independent, Paceville masterplan
  53. ↑ Times of Malta, Minimum wage campaign
  54. ↑ MT Independent, Rent Regulation campaign

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.