‘A Banner Is Bothering You?’: Isabelle Bonnici Hits Back At Jason Micallef Over Valletta ‘Vandalism’ Comments

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Jean Paul Sofia’s mother Isabelle Bonnici has hit back at Valletta Cultural Agency chairman Jason Micallef after he described the placing of banners and posters on historic buildings in the capital as “vandalism”.Bonnici posted the response in a Facebook comment underneath an article reporting on Micallef’s remarks, making it clear why the “Justice for Jean Paul Sofia” banner remains important to her.“I want to make my voice heard, and I am not doing anything against the law. We are a democracy and we have freedom of expression. I’m not hurting anyone by doing this,” she wrote.“YES, I WANT JUSTICE FOR JEAN PAUL SOFIA!!!!!”Bonnici said she is still waiting for justice for her son and for other victims in the construction sector, while once again calling for the recommendations of the public inquiry into Jean Paul’s death to be implemented.She argued that implementing those recommendations would help make Malta safer for everyone.Her comments came after Micallef criticised what he described as the long-term “defacement and vandalism” of historic buildings, monuments and façades in Valletta through banners and other material.The debate followed the appearance of a new “Justice for Daphne” poster outside Parliament, alongside the existing “Justice for Jean Paul Sofia” message.Bonnici ended her response with a direct message to Micallef.“A banner is bothering you, Mr Micallef?” she asked. “Take a look around the capital city without your political blinkers on, and then comment honestly!”Bonnici has spent years publicly campaigning for accountability following the death of her 20-year-old son in the Corradino construction collapse in December 2022.What do you make of her response?•