Albania Faces 'Flamingo Revolution' Against Trump Scion's Luxury Resort Plan

Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Tirana, Albania, protesting a controversial luxury resort planned for the ecologically sensitive Sazan island and the Narta lagoon. Wielding pink cardboard flamingos and banners reading "Albania is not for sale," the protesters aim to halt the multi-billion dollar project spearheaded by a consortium that includes U.S. President's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

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It is an incredibly beautiful private island in the middle of the Mediterranean.

The planned resort, envisioned to include 10,000 beds with an investment of $4 billion according to Prime Minister Edi Rama, is slated for an area currently serving as a vital habitat for numerous species. This includes flamingos, pelicans, the endangered Mediterranean monk seal, and loggerhead turtles, as well as tens of thousands of migratory birds. Ivanka Trump, Kushner's wife, has reportedly expressed enthusiasm for Sazan island's potential as a private paradise.

Critics are vehemently opposing the project, citing potential environmental devastation and accusing the Albanian government of gross violations of environmental protection regulations and a lack of transparency. The situation escalated after private security personnel erected barbed-wire fences around the coastal area near Zvernec and reportedly dragged a protester. This incident has fueled widespread public outrage and galvanized the so-called "Flamingo Revolution," which has also seen protests organized by the Albanian diaspora in cities like Munich and Berlin.

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Albania is not for sale

Adding to the controversy, Albania's Special Prosecutor's Office, established to combat corruption, has launched an investigation into the government's decision to alter the protected status of the land designated for the resort. Prime Minister Rama has attempted to quell the unrest by stating that the resort plans are not finalized and that environmental impact assessments are still pending, but the protests continue to grow.

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Ivanka, go home