'Flamingo Revolution' takes off as thousands demand Albanian PM's resignation

'Flamingo Revolution' takes off as thousands demand Albanian PM's resignation Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, While the "Flamingo Revolution" was spurred by opposition to a luxury development project, it is now a protest movement against alleged government corruption ByGuy DelauneyBalkans correspondentPublished54 minutes agoFirst they protested about flamingos, now the crowd on the streets below Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama's office has begun to chant about schools, jobs and living standards as well – and wants him to resign.The pink migratory birds became the symbol of Albania's nightly rallies because they flock to Narta Lagoon, a protected area near the coastal city of Vlora.A group of international investors – including US President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner – want to develop a luxury resort nearby, and the government has granted them "special investor" status.Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Conservationists argue that the proposed luxury resort would be detrimental to Albania's unique wildlife, not least its flamingo population There's no planning permission yet, and Rama's government says an environmental impact assessment has not even begun, but fencing and bulldozers have been seen on the site.Small-scale local protests about the potential environmental impact went national a month ago, when a video of private security guards beating up a protester spread on social media. The incident has been confirmed by the prime minister.Anger has now spread, bringing in wider concerns about the way Albania is developing – and how it is governed."I'm here for our schools," a young protester calls Helena tells the BBC."I'm here for our hospitals, I'm here for our infrastructure, I'm here for my family that's outside [Albania], and wanted to be here. And for all of that, I'm mostly here for myself, because I want to stay in my c...