On Monday, Skopje was rocked for the second time by protests by students and citizens in defense of the Albanian language, and the permission to take exams in the mother tongue. In this protest, unlike the first time, the support was even more massive, with Albanians arriving in Skopje to stand by the students demanding their rights.
Mevlan Ademi, from the "Student Movement", in a direct link to "Oponencje" in News24 spoke about organizing the protest.
He stated that Albanians face discrimination and slogans such as "A good Albanian is a dead Albanian", "Gas chamber for Albanians", which come not only from ordinary citizens, but also from intellectuals or university professors.
"What the entire Balkans saw on Monday was Skopje as it should be, dressed in red and black from one corner to the other, citizens and students revolting for the Albanian language, a revolt very well expressed in peaceful protest.
This was the second protest that led to this initiative. If a real solution is not found, which is obvious it will be, we will continue.
Albanians here are half of the state. It makes no sense for half to teach the other half their language. The Minister of Justice, against whom our protest was launched, is inciting interethnic division. We have nothing against the Macedonian side, but we want to protect our Albanian language.
Studying in your own language or not being allowed to take tests in this language and practice your profession is absurd. From Tuesday until today, signs have appeared in Macedonia saying "A good Albanian is a dead Albanian" or "Gas chamber for Albanians."
Macedonian media or intellectuals and professors call us Indians and uneducated, we are told "Run to Tirana and Pristina". No action is taken against hate speech. We do not tire of protests, but let those who are against us tremble and be afraid because we are here. We had support because we are asking for something elementary and just", he said.
