Jeff Dokmo

Behind Every Picture, There's a Story.

Peaceful Remembrance Walk


After things got a little out of control last week, Tirana played host to a much more peaceful remembrance walk for the three victims of the anti-government protest on Jan 21. The days leading up to this event had heated debates between the international community, the opposition, and the government; the tension seemed to rise until the event began at 2pm on Friday as nobody knew what to expect (especially with the outcome of the last protest just 1 week ago looming in the back of everyone’s mind). Opposition party backed up their claim to a peaceful walk, while the government stood with layers of police anxiously watching the thousands of passers-by for any signs of violence, fortunately people picked up flowers and candles instead of weapons. Tonight, Tirana is quiet.

NOTE: Below are some pictures from the peaceful walk today, but also the pictures from the violent political protest about one week ago.

Some young men warm their hands in passing by the heat emitted from an overturned, burning garbage bin laying in the street.
Using cobble stones from the road beneath their feet, protesters improvise against the riot police - fully armed (occasionally shooting into the crowd) and using protective gear.
The calm after the storm. A few cars simmer after being burned and flipped just hours earlier in the heat of the riots. Riot police stand guard in the background in case of another uproar from the crowd (which has moved down the street a block by now).
The crowd is mostly dissipated by about 5:15pm. Some protesters walk the streets as things start to cool down, a few people still actively cast stones near the building directly across the street.
Friday, January 28th, 2011 at 11:21 am
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