Albanian protesters protest against Kushner’s safe haven in the protected area | Objections

Thousands of people have protested in Albania’s capital, Tirana, in the biggest rally against US President Donald Trump’s high-profile job that has become a lightning rod for anger over corruption.

Since the end of May, demonstrations have been gathering every evening to protest the construction of a hotel built for Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, on the Balkan coast.

Saturday’s march drew what appeared to be one of the largest crowds since the movement’s inception, with many ethnic Albanians traveling home to join. Demonstrators threw the flags of Albania and the United States, took out red balloons and chanted: “Albania is not for sale,” the words that appeared in front of the prime minister’s office.

“We are not against the development of the country, we are against arrogance and not doing things openly that affect our lives,” said Alma, a science student.

The Kushner-backed resort, along with another planned development near Sazan Island, will be close to a sanctuary for migratory birds in the Vjosa-Narta protected area, including flocks of flamingos.

The environmental crisis has combined with growing anger at Prime Minister Edi Rama, who protesters accuse of acting erratically along the coast. Many now say they will remain on the streets until they quit their jobs.

Rama, who remained defiant, told a party meeting that he would not quit and said the dispute was driven more by Kushner’s name and “Trump’s shadow” than the project’s progress.