Thousands protest luxury resort linked to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner in Albania

Thousands of Albanians have taken to the streets for six days straight, protesting a planned luxury resort linked to Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner. The project, estimated to be worth $5 billion, is slated for a former protected nature area, sparking widespread opposition.

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Ivanka, go home

Demonstrators, waving Albanian flags and carrying signs reading "Ivanka, go home" and "Albania is not for sale," marched through the capital, Tirana. They gathered outside the government building, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Protesters accuse Rama of prioritizing foreign investors over the country's interests. Rama, however, has dismissed concerns, suggesting "foreign forces" are fueling the protests and stating the project is not yet finalized.

The protests gained momentum after preparatory work commenced at the Vjosa-Narta lagoon, approximately 150 kilometers southwest of Tirana. This area is a crucial habitat for migratory birds, including flamingos, and is considered one of the most important biodiversity zones in the Mediterranean, according to environmental group PPNEA. "The problem is not just the lack of transparency, but the total lack of respect for the ecological value of this area," said environmental activist Denisa Kasa.

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The problem is not just the lack of transparency, but the total lack of respect for the ecological value of this area.

Flamingos have become a symbol of the movement, with some protesters carrying inflatable or paper versions of the bird on the beach. The demonstrators gathered both in the city center and at the nature reserve itself, highlighting their dual concerns over governance and environmental protection.

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there is no reason to worry