'Flamingo Revolution' protestors clash with police

 Thousands of protestors in Albania have clashed with police over the planned construction of a luxury resort on a nature reserve. Police have responded with tear gas and water cannon. The proposed development is backed by Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The protests are part of daily rallies that are being dubbed the 'flamingo revolution'. This is because the planned resort is on a pristine wildlife area that is home to thousands of flamingos. Demonstrators say the project would destroy habitats used by migratory birds. Many of those taking to the streets are calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. They want him to reverse his decision to allow the resort to go ahead.


The land at the heart of the demonstrations is at the Narta Lagoon on the coast of Albania's Adriatic Sea. Even though planning permission has not been granted and an environmental impact assessment has not been conducted, work has gone ahead. There are many bulldozers on the site and large areas have been fenced off. Protestors report that woodland has been cut down and sand dunes have been cleared. A 7 km-long road has also been constructed along a peninsula. Albania's government said the resort was necessary to help transform the country's economy. However, the European Union has warned the resort could hinder Albania's EU membership.


1. CONSTRUCTION: Students A strongly believe we should stop building things on wildlife sites; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
2. REVOLUTIONS: What do you know about these revolutions? What did they change? Complete this table  

 

What I Know

Change

French Revolution

 

 

American Revolution

 

 

Russian Revolution

 

 

Industrial Revolution

 

 

Iranian Revolution

 

 

Chinese Revolution

 

 

3. PROTESTS: Rank these with your partner. Put the things that would most make you protest at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Social Issues & Advocacy

·         Corrupt leaders

·         Price rises

·         War

·         Equal rights

·         Environmental damage

·         Better pay

·         Union rights

·         Immigration

4.Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1.

clashed

a.

Fought or came into conflict with.

      2.

nature reserve

b.

Very clean and not damaged; in perfect condition.

      3.

tear gas

c.

A protected area where animals and plants are kept safe.

      4.

rallies

d.

Given a nickname.

      5.

dubbed

e.

Something released into the air by police that makes people's eyes hurt and makes them cry.

      6.

pristine

f.

Public meetings where people come together to support or protest something.

      7.

migratory

g.

Moving from one place to another at different times of the year.

    Paragraph 2

      8.

lagoon

h.

A long, thin piece of land coming out from the mainland and surrounded by water.

      9.

granted

i.

Carried out or done.

      10.

impact

j.

A small area of water separated from the sea by land or sand.

      11.

conducted

k.

To change something completely.

      12.

peninsula

l.

Officially given or allowed.

      13.

transform

m.

To make something more difficult or slower.

      14.

hinder

n.

A strong effect or influence.

5. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. protestors
  2. reserve
  3. rallies
  4. dubbed
  5. reverse
  6. granted
  7. conducted
  8. gone ahead
  9. constructed
  10. hinder
  1. given
  2. nicknamed
  3. do a U-turn on
  4. built
  5. natural park
  6. hamper
  7. marches
  8. progressed
  9. demonstrators
  10. carried out

6. ROLE PLAY : 

Role  A – Corrupt Leaders
You think corrupt leaders is the worthiest thing to protest about. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least worthy of these (and why):  price rises, climate change or immigration.

Role  B – Price Rises
You think price rises is the worthiest thing to protest about. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least worthy of these (and why): corrupt leaders, climate change or immigration.

Role  C – Climate Change
You think climate change is the worthiest thing to protest about. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least worthy of these (and why): price rises, corrupt leaders or immigration.

Role  D – Immigration
You think immigration is the worthiest thing to protest about. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least worthy of these (and why): price rises, climate change or corrupt leaders.

7.Discussion - Flamingo Revolution

  1. What do you know about flamingos?
  2. What do you think of luxury resorts?
  3. Should we stop building on land where there is wildlife?
  4. What is the nicest resort you have ever stayed in?
  5. What would make you protest in the streets?
  6. What do you think of the term 'predatory capitalist'?
  7. How do you want this story to end?
  8. What advice do you have for the protestors?
  1. What do you think of revolutions?
  2. Are there enough luxury resorts in the world?
  3. Should overseas investors be banned from development projects?
  4. What are the advantages of building the resort?
  5. What do you think developers think about wildlife?
  6. How do you think this story will end?
  7. What questions would you like to ask the developers?

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