Tirana, Albania – A massive nighttime crowd filled a central street in the Albanian capital as thousands of protesters waved large red national flags bearing the double-headed eagle during demonstrations captured in a video filmed by X user Megi.
Bright flares and smoke created a hazy glow above the crowd while protesters raised phones with flashlights, chanting and cheering beneath banners reading “The Homeland Is Not For Sale” and other messages opposing development projects.
The protests have entered their 23rd day and are directed against a major luxury coastal development project linked to Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump, and Gulf investors.
Known as the “Flamingo Revolution,” the movement began over environmental concerns surrounding a proposed multibillion-dollar resort planned for protected wetlands, including the Vjosa-Narta Lagoon and Sazan Island.
Protesters say the developments threaten habitats for thousands of flamingos, sea turtles, and other wildlife. Critics accuse the Albanian government of bypassing environmental protections and selling national land to foreign interests.
What began as environmental opposition has expanded into broader protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. Demonstrators have demanded accountability and called for his resignation over alleged corruption, privatization issues, and prioritizing foreign investment over public interest.
Chants declaring that Albania’s land and future are “not for sale” have become a central message of the movement as large crowds continue to gather nightly across the country.
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