Citizens stage a massive protest over the illegal dumping of hazardous waste in Gospić

A massive protest titled: "Walk for Lika, Walk for Croatia" was held in Zagreb on Saturday. The protest was organized by the "Gospić Is Our Home" civil initiative in response to illegal dumping of hazardous waste in the Gospić area.

Thousands of protesters gathered on Zagreb’s central Ban Josip Jelačić Square today calling for fundamental changes to the waste management system and for political responsibility for the growing number of illegal landfills throughout the country. They also demanded that government present its plan to remediate the illegal landfill within 20 days and that it remove the 33 thousand tons of hazardous waste within three months. Among the speakers at the protest was Gospić native Željka Šikić: "Ordinary people have had enough. And believe me when I say that you will not divide us, you will not rob us and our children of our right to life, you will not destroy our homeland's natural beauty, and you will not transform us into Europe's landfill for hazardous waste."

"We will not accept platitudes claiming that those responsible will be held accountable. That is not your job that is the job of the judiciary. I'm asking you; what is your political responsibility? Who created these institutions?" added Vjekoslav Bušić from the "Gospić Is Our Home" civil initiative.

Along with citizens from throughout the country, the protest was also attended by a number of opposition politicians. However, they seemed unable to agree on whether the issue was political in nature or not. SDP Party President Siniša Hajdaš Dončić: "This is not about politics, this is about common sense and a dysfunctional system in Croatia. That is why we are walking for Lika and for Croatia."

"This is a first rate political issue. This is about our country's future. There is no bigger political issue than whether or not we will preserve clean water for future generations. That is my message, and this protest should be the primary motivator for new elections," said Možemo! MP Ivana Kekin.

"Today we are here exclusively to listen to the people. Politicians need to listen, because politicians who swore patriotism betrayed our people and poisoned Lika," noted MOST Party President Nikola Grmoja.

For his part, the head of Primošten Municipality Stipe Petrina, said that the illegal dumping of hazardous waste is not an issue that can be monopolized by one faction or political party: "Environmental protection cannot be a political thing by definition, or an issue monopolized by one political party or any ideology. This issue belongs to all of us."

Members of the coalition government also commented on the protest, claiming that the civil initiative had been coopted by the opposition. Deputy Prime Minister and Veterans' Affairs Minister, Tomo Medved: "With all due respect to the initiative and everything that it is doing to point out the danger - which we respect and appreciate - we also need to clearly point out the obvious attempts by the opposition to connect itself to the initiative and its goal of solving the waste issue. And that is political scheming."

"I condemn with disgust this trend of illegal waste disposal and the equally incomprehensible and unclear waste management strategy, where everyone bears equal guilt - without making it a left or right issue," added the Deputy Speaker of Croatian Parliament and the President of the Homeland Movement Party, Ivan Penava.

Source: HRT