Protests against Kushner-linked resort in Albania enter second day

June 3, 2026 - 16:54

Environmental activists and local residents in Albania continued their demonstrations for a second day on Thursday, opposing a luxury resort project connected to Jared Kushner, the former senior White House advisor. The protests, which began Wednesday, have drawn hundreds of people to the coastal area near the planned development site.

The proposed resort, situated along the Ionian Sea, has become a flashpoint for broader concerns about unchecked tourism development and environmental degradation. Environmental NGOs have long raised concerns that the project could threaten the area's biodiversity and disrupt bird migration routes. Critics argue the construction would damage fragile ecosystems, including wetlands that serve as critical stopover points for migratory birds traveling between Europe and Africa.

On Thursday, police in riot gear faced off with demonstrators who blocked a main road leading to the construction zone. Some protesters carried signs reading "Save Our Coast" and "No to Concrete Jungles." Local media reported scattered scuffles, though no serious injuries were confirmed.

Kushner's investment firm, which is backing the project, has previously stated that the development would follow strict environmental standards and create jobs in a region with high unemployment. But opponents remain skeptical, pointing to past tourism projects in Albania that they say have led to water shortages and unchecked coastal sprawl.

The Albanian government has defended the project as part of a broader strategy to boost high-end tourism. However, the two-day protest signals growing public pushback against rapid development in ecologically sensitive zones. Organizers have vowed to continue their action until authorities halt construction permits.