Legality & Interpretation

Why J’accuse is still hazy about tomorrow’s rally. We explain why it’s one thing to claim that the law is not being applied and another to disagree on its interpretation.

Last week we spoke here about the upcoming rally organised by environmental NGOs in Valletta. The rally, due to be held tomorrow morning, is entitled Legality Now and we argued that it is yet another example of the loss of faith in institutions. We pointed out that the NGO’s are not mobilising in favour or against a particular policy but rather to draw attention to the lack of application of laws.

FAA representative Astrid Vella chimed in on the blog post to point out an additional poit  – the apparent/perceived misapplication of the structure plan because of the Piano plans for city gate and the opera house. The person who comments as Anon beat me to the question: How does this fit in with the rest of the rally? The issue of “sham consultation” highlighted primarily by the FAA jolts considerably with the rest of the declared aims of the protest. Worse still, it allows those whose interest it is to minimise the importance of the main message of the rally to focus on this gross incongruence.

Din l-Art Helwa have already taken a strong stance practically disassociating themselves from this rally and they have done so purely on the basis of the FAA backed point. Astrid Vella chose not to answer my and Anon’s queries but rather to reproduce the wording of the poster. The danger here is that what I percieve as a ridiculous usurpation of the main message threatens to overshadow the real effectiveness of a legitimate rally.

The interpretation of the structure plan or whatever other trick is brought out to oppose the Piano plans should not be allowed to get in the way of a clear, legitimate (and clean) message to the establishment. It would be a pity if the blinkered obtuseness of some is allowed to become the weak link that allows the usual brigade of apologistas to denigrate and belittle the aims of the rally.