The police had to intervene this morning to remove a group of protesters from the Graffitti Movement and other youth NGOs who blocked one of the entrances to Hastings Garden in Valletta, where the June 7 commemoration was held.
The protesters - about 12 - sat down and refused to budge when ordered to by the police. They then had to be dragged from the scene as that shouted 'Demokrazzija Dittatorjali".
Those taking part in the protest also included AD Youths, Moviment Azzjoni Xellug and Zminijietna.
Before the ceremony started the youths took up position near the guest entrance, holding banners protesting over corruption and the power station extension project.
When the Speaker, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition entered, they tried to enter after them but were stopped by the police, who directed them to the other entrance.
The youths then sat down at the entrance and on a parking bay which was to be used for the prime minister's car and refused to move until they were dragged by the police.
No one was injured.