Jersey's Romanian population protest country's corruption

Thursday 09 February 2017

Members of Jersey’s Romanian population have come together to protest “one of the darkest” political situations their country has ever experienced.

Organised by ‘Romani in Jersey’, over 40 people took to The Parade in a demonstration of solidarity with their angered Europe-based counterparts, following a decree that would let corrupt officials off the hook if the sums involved were less than around £45,000.

The executive order sought to suspend current corruption investigations, block future inquiries, and allow those currently imprisoned to walk free – and all of this ordered without parliamentary input.

In one of the biggest protests since the fall of Communism in the country, over 300,000 people descended on Bucharest, lighting up their phones to symbolise 'shedding light' on corruption, inspiring Romanians across the world to do the same.

"As 21:00 rolls in, 300k people in #Bucharest, #Romania, light up phones as a symbol of 'shedding light on corruption'" #romanianprotests pic.twitter.com/CXuNv1KGo2

— Chris Gorczynski (@ChrisGorczynski) February 5, 2017

Video: The protests in Bucharest, Romania. (Credit: @ChrisGorczynski/Twitter)

Shows of solidarity have since spread far and wide, with Edina Corobean one of the organisers behind Jersey's own display. 

She told Express: "This was just unacceptable and something had to be done about it! So we felt the need to show solidarity to our people by organising a peaceful protest."

With flags, colourful placards and Romanian flag face paint, a group of 40 - around 10% of Jersey's Romanian population, according to the most recent census - brought their protests to town in a show of peaceful resistance.

"The current political situation in Romania is one of the darkest it has ever experienced. People always considered that Ceausescu and Communism were responsible for Romania’s fall back, but that’s so wrong. Back then there was an order, there were jobs, but no freedom. Now, we have the sense of freedom, but it is actually manipulated by those who run the country," Ms Corobean explained.

Video: Members of Jersey's Romanian population protest at the Cenotaph at The Parade, St Helier. (Credit: Tom Gruchy/YouTube)

While the group have been delighted and grateful to make Jersey their home in recent years, Ms Corobean said that many of the group fear that they might not be able to return home as the situation worsens.

"The fact is that Jersey has given us, Romanians, the warmest welcome which we are so thankful for! We love being part of everything this beautiful island and its people has to offer. Some may have chosen to stay, but most would like to return to Romania one day and they would like to return to a country which is so much different from what they first left behind."

 But, for now, the future remains uncertain.