Around 1,000 citizens of Split gathered last night to send one message loud and clear: Split is our city and it is time that the quality and security of life for all citizens becomes a priority.
The protest Split Burns, which we announced on Total Split just a few days ago, saw citizens gather on the West Coast Riva in front of Banovina, the City Hall building, last night. The protest, which was organized through a Facebook event, attracted around 1,000 Split citizens eager for their voices to be heard.
The mission statement of the protest emphasized:
The feelings that have dominated the citizens of Split over the last few days have been those of indignation and anger caused by the apparent lack of a functioning system that should know how to cope with a crisis situation, such as this great fire.
The behavior of the responsible persons who attempted to reduce the scale of the situation all of us have suffered through has further strengthened these feelings. The lack of communication between competent services and citizens, as well as the contradictory information regarding the situation at Karepovac, was the 'drop' that filled the glass for all of us.
Given that the statements of the responsible persons during and after the great fire on the outskirts of Split caused the permanent distrust of citizens to the system, we are organizing a protest gathering that requires:
1) The rehabilitation and systematic planning of the post-legalization settlements and eastern parts of Split in the upcoming processes of creating a new or amended GUP, where a large number of young families live today.
2) Urgent and responsible action related to Karepovec as timed bombs directly threaten the health of all citizens, according to the rules of the profession.
3) Taking responsibility for the management, organizational and communication fiasco that has led to the threats of humans and property.
Triggered by the lack of action taken by those with power during the fires that recently devastated Dalmatia, Split Burns was supported by various organizations and establishments including the Island Movement, Association MoSt, KLFM Radio and the Youth Club, and was attended by many political figures and Split socialites.
Žana Božanić
“Andrej Plenković insulted us with his statements that the fire was interesting and attractive and we demand his resignation, as well as the resignation of Ante Sanader who did not call all of the forces and the army in due time,” said Marijana Puljak, party chairman for Pametno, who was among citizens.
Mladen Badovinac from legendary Split music group TBF also made an appearance, surprising a number of protestors with his attendance.
“This is a good start. The things that have been said today have already been pronounced and are very clear. It is important to have as many people as possible see that we are upset by this situation.”
Katarina Duplančić, president of the Split Youth Council, asked: “What kind of city will you leave us? A burning one? Who will notify us when a fire strikes again under our feet? Will we have to look to social networks again? Will the citizens have to organize themselves again?”
Igor Drača
Protesters called for the "good governance of the city" which includes transparency and citizen participation in decision-making. Many protesters held signs, with one of the favorites reading “Prime Minister, the fire is not more attractive and interesting than me,” and gratitude was eternally extended from everyone in attendance to the firefighters, Torcida, and volunteers that fought the blaze.
The protest, which ended just before 22:00, was marked with candles to remember the fires that threatened Split.
