The protest comes a week after extreme right-wing supporters broke into the headquarters of Italy’s oldest labour confederation.
Thousands of people gathered in San Giovanni Square, Rome, to say no to fascism [Enrico Mattia Del Punta/Getty Images]
AL JAZEERA
16 Oct 2021
Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered in Rome to demonstrate against fascism, a week after right-wing extremists forced their way into the headquarters of Italy’s oldest labour confederation.
The head of the CGIL labour union, Maurizio Landini, led the protest on Saturday under the slogan: “Never again fascism.”
“It is necessary to build an anti-fascist, democratic network for the whole continent,” Landini said. “Democracy cannot be exported through wars, but by giving access to work and rights.”
More than 50,000 people attended the rally in Piazza San Giovanni, according to media reports. Among the attendants were Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
Some participants waved slogans in favour of coronavirus vaccines, a direct retort to the protesters armed with sticks and metal bars who trashed CGIL’s Rome headquarters on October 9.
Last week’s demonstration began as a peaceful protest against new government regulations imposing Europe’s most stringent vaccine requirements.
The measure, which came into effect on Friday, mandates proof of vaccination, a negative test within 48 hours or proof of having recovered from COVID-19 to access places of employment.
An unauthorised march broke off from the main rally in Piazza Del Popolo and attempted to reach Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s office.
Among them were proponents of extreme right-wing group Forza Nuova, who waved the Italian flag and extended their arm in a ‘Roman’ Fascist salute.A demonstrator holds a banner that reads ‘Freedom’ during a protest against the ‘Green Pass’ in Rome, Italy [Remo Casilli/Reuters]
The group reached CGIL’s headquarters and briefly broke into its premises. The confederation blamed the act of violence on “fascist action squads”.
“[This was] an attack on democracy and on the world of work that we are determined to repel,” Landini said at the time. “No one should think they can take our country back to the Fascist years.”
Addressing the crowd on Saturday, Landini made reference to the round-up of Jews that occurred in Rome’s Jewish ghetto on October 16, 1945, saying that a return to political violence would not be tolerated.
“Being anti-fascist means guaranteeing democracy for all and safeguarding the principles of our constitution,” he said.
Landini also used the platform to demand truth and justice for Giulio Regeni, a 28-year-old PhD student killed in Cairo in 2016.
The trial in absentia against four Egyptian security officers was suspended earlier this week, due to concerns that the defendants might be unaware of the charges against them.
The decision of a Rome court to nullify the proceeding frustrated years of efforts to investigate the events that led to the student’s disappearance in Egypt and bring closure to the victim’s family.
16 Oct 2021
Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered in Rome to demonstrate against fascism, a week after right-wing extremists forced their way into the headquarters of Italy’s oldest labour confederation.
The head of the CGIL labour union, Maurizio Landini, led the protest on Saturday under the slogan: “Never again fascism.”
“It is necessary to build an anti-fascist, democratic network for the whole continent,” Landini said. “Democracy cannot be exported through wars, but by giving access to work and rights.”
More than 50,000 people attended the rally in Piazza San Giovanni, according to media reports. Among the attendants were Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
Some participants waved slogans in favour of coronavirus vaccines, a direct retort to the protesters armed with sticks and metal bars who trashed CGIL’s Rome headquarters on October 9.
Last week’s demonstration began as a peaceful protest against new government regulations imposing Europe’s most stringent vaccine requirements.
The measure, which came into effect on Friday, mandates proof of vaccination, a negative test within 48 hours or proof of having recovered from COVID-19 to access places of employment.
An unauthorised march broke off from the main rally in Piazza Del Popolo and attempted to reach Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s office.
Among them were proponents of extreme right-wing group Forza Nuova, who waved the Italian flag and extended their arm in a ‘Roman’ Fascist salute.A demonstrator holds a banner that reads ‘Freedom’ during a protest against the ‘Green Pass’ in Rome, Italy [Remo Casilli/Reuters]
The group reached CGIL’s headquarters and briefly broke into its premises. The confederation blamed the act of violence on “fascist action squads”.
“[This was] an attack on democracy and on the world of work that we are determined to repel,” Landini said at the time. “No one should think they can take our country back to the Fascist years.”
Addressing the crowd on Saturday, Landini made reference to the round-up of Jews that occurred in Rome’s Jewish ghetto on October 16, 1945, saying that a return to political violence would not be tolerated.
“Being anti-fascist means guaranteeing democracy for all and safeguarding the principles of our constitution,” he said.
Landini also used the platform to demand truth and justice for Giulio Regeni, a 28-year-old PhD student killed in Cairo in 2016.
The trial in absentia against four Egyptian security officers was suspended earlier this week, due to concerns that the defendants might be unaware of the charges against them.
The decision of a Rome court to nullify the proceeding frustrated years of efforts to investigate the events that led to the student’s disappearance in Egypt and bring closure to the victim’s family.
Italy's unions rally against neo-fascist groups after violent protests
REUTERS
Publishing date:
REUTERS
Publishing date:
Oct 16, 2021 •
ROME — Italy’s biggest workers’ unions rallied in Rome on Saturday and called on the government to dissolve the neo-fascist groups involved in last weekend’s violent protests against the COVID-19 health pass.
Last week, police arrested 12 people, including leaders of the extreme right-wing group Forza Nuova, after thousands took to the streets to oppose mandatory ‘green passes’ for all workers.
Some groups broke through police lines to reach the prime minister’s office, while others smashed their way into the headquarters of Italy’s largest trade union, CGIL.
Many of those attending Saturday’s rally waved CGIL’s red flag as they marched from an area close to the city’s main station to the central square of San Giovanni on a crisp, sunny afternoon.
Italy’s main unions CGIL, CISL and UIL all called on the government to dissolve neo-fascist and neo-nazi groups at the rally whose slogan was “No to fascism and violence, yes to work, safety and rights.”
“We ask for concrete acts, not just chatter. It is time for the state to demonstrate its democratic strength in enforcing the laws and the constitution,” CGIL’s Secretary General Maurizio Landini said from the stage.
“A country that loses its memory cannot have a future,” he added.
Organizers estimated between 50,000 and 60,000 people took part. CISL head Pierpaolo Bombadieri said participation was as high as 100,000.
“Stay away from our head offices, stay away from the squares,” Bombardiere said, referring to last week’s violent protests.
Last week’s riots drew widespread condemnation, including from Matteo Salvini and Giorgia Meloni, the leaders of the rightist League and Brothers of Italy parties, respectively.
Two Forza Nuova leaders remain in custody after a decision by a judge. (Reporting by Giulia Segreti, additional reporting by Jaime Lopez, editing by Christina Fincher)
ROME — Italy’s biggest workers’ unions rallied in Rome on Saturday and called on the government to dissolve the neo-fascist groups involved in last weekend’s violent protests against the COVID-19 health pass.
Last week, police arrested 12 people, including leaders of the extreme right-wing group Forza Nuova, after thousands took to the streets to oppose mandatory ‘green passes’ for all workers.
Some groups broke through police lines to reach the prime minister’s office, while others smashed their way into the headquarters of Italy’s largest trade union, CGIL.
Many of those attending Saturday’s rally waved CGIL’s red flag as they marched from an area close to the city’s main station to the central square of San Giovanni on a crisp, sunny afternoon.
Italy’s main unions CGIL, CISL and UIL all called on the government to dissolve neo-fascist and neo-nazi groups at the rally whose slogan was “No to fascism and violence, yes to work, safety and rights.”
“We ask for concrete acts, not just chatter. It is time for the state to demonstrate its democratic strength in enforcing the laws and the constitution,” CGIL’s Secretary General Maurizio Landini said from the stage.
“A country that loses its memory cannot have a future,” he added.
Organizers estimated between 50,000 and 60,000 people took part. CISL head Pierpaolo Bombadieri said participation was as high as 100,000.
“Stay away from our head offices, stay away from the squares,” Bombardiere said, referring to last week’s violent protests.
Last week’s riots drew widespread condemnation, including from Matteo Salvini and Giorgia Meloni, the leaders of the rightist League and Brothers of Italy parties, respectively.
Two Forza Nuova leaders remain in custody after a decision by a judge. (Reporting by Giulia Segreti, additional reporting by Jaime Lopez, editing by Christina Fincher)
Demonstrators take part in a march organized by Italy's main labor unions, in Rome's St. John Lateran square, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. The march was called a week after protesters, armed with sticks and metal bars, smashed their way into the headquarters of CGIL, a left-leaning union, and trashed its office, during a demonstration to protest a government rule requiring COVID-19 vaccines or negative tests for workers to enter their offices. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Tens of thousands demonstrate in Rome against neo-fascists
The Associated Press
Saturday, October 16, 2021
ROME -- Tens of thousands of union members and other Italians gathered in Rome to stand up against rising fascism Saturday, a week after right-wing extremists forced their way into the headquarters of Italy's most powerful labor confederation while protesting a COVID-19 certification requirement for workplaces.
The head of the CGIL union confederation, Maurizio Landini, led the protest with other labor leaders under the slogan: "Never again fascism." Organizers put the crowd assembled in front of St. John Lateran basilica for the protest at 100,000-strong,
Some participants waved flags reading "Si Vax," a direct retort to the protesters armed with sticks and metal bars who trashed CGIL's Rome headquarters on Oct. 9.
They were protesting a government requirement, which took effect Friday, mandating proof of vaccination, a negative test within 48 hours or proof of having recovered from COVID-19 to access places of employment.
Landini, CGIL's secretary general, has compared the assault on the union headquarters to 1921 attacks by the newly founded Fascist party against union organizers.
Fascist leader Benito Mussolini came to power the next year and later brought Italy into World War II as an ally of Nazi Germany.
Landini said Saturday's event was intended as "a demonstration that defends democracy for everyone. This is the topic."
The head of the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CISL) trade union, Luigi Sbarra, said an attack against unions led by the far-right Forza Nuova party "made the only choice to be here, united against all types of fascism." He called for the swift dissolution of the party by Italian authorities.
The Associated Press
Saturday, October 16, 2021
ROME -- Tens of thousands of union members and other Italians gathered in Rome to stand up against rising fascism Saturday, a week after right-wing extremists forced their way into the headquarters of Italy's most powerful labor confederation while protesting a COVID-19 certification requirement for workplaces.
The head of the CGIL union confederation, Maurizio Landini, led the protest with other labor leaders under the slogan: "Never again fascism." Organizers put the crowd assembled in front of St. John Lateran basilica for the protest at 100,000-strong,
Some participants waved flags reading "Si Vax," a direct retort to the protesters armed with sticks and metal bars who trashed CGIL's Rome headquarters on Oct. 9.
They were protesting a government requirement, which took effect Friday, mandating proof of vaccination, a negative test within 48 hours or proof of having recovered from COVID-19 to access places of employment.
Landini, CGIL's secretary general, has compared the assault on the union headquarters to 1921 attacks by the newly founded Fascist party against union organizers.
Fascist leader Benito Mussolini came to power the next year and later brought Italy into World War II as an ally of Nazi Germany.
Landini said Saturday's event was intended as "a demonstration that defends democracy for everyone. This is the topic."
The head of the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CISL) trade union, Luigi Sbarra, said an attack against unions led by the far-right Forza Nuova party "made the only choice to be here, united against all types of fascism." He called for the swift dissolution of the party by Italian authorities.
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Thousands marched in Rome Saturday, one week after right-wing extremists rallied against COVID-19 certification requirement for workplaces.
Thousands marched in Rome Saturday, one week after right-wing extremists rallied against COVID-19 certification requirement for workplaces.
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