Żaren Campaign Fights for Tal-Ajkla’s Freedom
From Żejtun to Valletta: Tal-Ajkla’s Hopeful March
In the heart of Żejtun, a small crowd gathers. They’re not here for a festa, but for a cause. A banner reads, ‘Ma tagħmlu xejn ma’ Tal-Ajkla’ – ‘We won’t do anything without Tal-Ajkla’. This is the launch of Żaren, a campaign fighting for the rights of a young woman, Tal-Ajkla, who has been detained for over a year without charge. Today, their voices echo through Żejtun’s narrow streets, a stark reminder of the issues at hand.
Who is Tal-Ajkla?
Tal-Ajkla is a 23-year-old woman from Żejtun. She was arrested in June 2021 on suspicion of involvement in a drugs case. However, over a year later, she remains in custody, awaiting trial. Her family and supporters argue that there’s insufficient evidence to keep her detained, and they’re fighting for her release.
Żaren: A Campaign Born Out of Frustration
Żaren, which means ‘spark’ in Maltese, was born out of frustration and hope. Frustration at the slow pace of justice, and hope that their collective voice could make a difference. The campaign started small, with family and friends sharing Tal-Ajkla’s story on social media. But it quickly grew, attracting supporters from across Malta.
Żaren’s coordinator, Maria, a friend of Tal-Ajkla’s family, tells us, “We’re not just fighting for Tal-Ajkla. We’re fighting for justice, for fairness. We want people to know that we won’t stay silent while an innocent person suffers.”
From Żejtun to Valletta: The Campaign’s Journey
The campaign has taken its message to the streets, organizing marches from Żejtun to Valletta. The sight of protesters carrying banners and chanting slogans has become a familiar one in recent months. Their message is clear: ‘We won’t do anything without Tal-Ajkla’.
Żaren has also organized events in other towns, including Birkirkara and Sliema. They’ve held vigils, distributed flyers, and even organized a flash mob in Valletta’s City Gate. Their aim? To keep Tal-Ajkla’s case in the public eye, to pressure authorities to act.
What’s Next for Żaren?
Żaren shows no signs of slowing down. They’re planning more events, more marches, more ways to keep Tal-Ajkla’s story alive. They’re also seeking legal advice, exploring all avenues to secure Tal-Ajkla’s release.
Maria tells us, “We won’t stop until Tal-Ajkla is free. We won’t stop until justice is served.”
