site.btaResidents of Sofia's Zaharna Fabrika Protest against Accommodation of Roma from Demolished Illegal Buildings in Borough

Residents of the Zaharna Fabrika borough in Sofia held a protest here on Thursday demanding that the residents of the demolished illegal buildings in the borough not be accommodated there. The demonstration took place at the entrance of South Park.

The protesters briefly blocked the traffic on Slivnitsa and Kukush streets, just in front of the entrance to the park. 

The organisers announced that there will also be a protest on Friday, but they are considering not blocking the traffic.

Among their demands are to live in a clean and peaceful neighbourhood, and Bulgarians and Roma to be equal before the law. Equality before the law is about everything, including the ticket for public transport and pitching tents in front of the municipality of the borough, they said. The organisers also said that under the law, the St. Sophia temporary accommodation centre in Zaharna Fabrika cannot accommodate people under the age of 18, and mainly children have been accommodated there. The concern is that, due to overcapacity, there are cots placed in the corridors, and there are prerequisites for problems.

Protesters included residents of other boroughs. Those attending the protest carried placards reading “We are all equal before the law” and “Since when is obeying the law racism?”.

The Commission for Protection against Discrimination has initiated proceedings against the Zaharna Fabrika Mayor over the demolition of the Roma's homes.

A similar protest of residents of Lyulin borough in Sofia was held on April 16 over the moving of those affected by the housing demolition to Lyulin.