The protest against the government and Prime Minister Edi Rama has entered its 15th day, as citizens continue to gather in front of the Prime Minister’s Office to demand the resignation of the head of government and changes in the country’s leadership.
In addition to the high turnout, one of the elements that has attracted the most attention during the protests are the creative banners and messages inspired by popular social media memes. With humor, irony and direct messages, the protesters have chosen to express their dissatisfaction in a form that has received wide resonance on the internet.
Among the most commented slogans seen at yesterday’s protest were: “How many mandates are needed for 24-hour water and electricity?”, “Don’t leave us just the flag, but also the Homeland”, “We are eagles, not sheep” and “Albania is not a circus, clowns away from the government”.
Other banners focused on the relationship between citizens and the government, as well as the pressure that protesters say is exerted on people who oppose the government. Among them, messages such as: “They threatened me with my job, but I protested again. What is your justification?”, “The power of the people, not the oligarchs” and “The citizen seeks citizenship, the state shows arrogance”.
Organizers say that the banners have become one of the most distinctive symbols of the protest, giving it a distinct identity and conveying citizens’ messages in a creative and direct way.
As the protest enters its third week, citizens express their determination to continue the mobilization, using not only speeches and slogans, but also humor and irony as forms of protest against the government.