Unemployed shoots during new cabinet’s oath
Submitted by StrugglesInItaly on Apr 29 2013 08:37
Information has started circulating about Luigi Prieti, the man who opened fire early today against a group of carabinieri guarding Palazzo Chigi, the Palace of the Italian Government, injuring two police officers, Francesco Negri and Giuseppe Giangrande (who is in a critical condition and may be permanently paralysed).
The shooting took place just as the new members of the cabinet were taking their oath. After two months of political stalemate, the cabinet, brought together through dubious deals (“inciucio”) by politicians and experts from both sides of the political spectrum, was beginning its mandate; meanwhile, a few meters away, gunshots were being fired.
Like father, like son: Fascists of the 3rd Millennium in Italy
Submitted by Italy Calling on Apr 13 2013 22:18
Two policemen are under investigation for covering up a fascist brawl that involved Rome’s Mayor’s son, Manfredi Alemanno.
According to Rome’s Public Prosecutors the inquiry that had followed the event was obstructed and then buried under the sand by the Police, thanks to the withholding of evidence and false statements made by policemen Roberto Macellaro (who in his free time volunteers to be the Mayor’s personal chauffeur) and Pietro Ronca, a local Chief Inspector in Rome.
School and anti-fascist demonstrations, November 24
Submitted by StrugglesInItaly on Nov 26 2012 21:49
On November 24 2012, three different demonstrations took place in Rome and in other cities.
In the morning, two separate rallies marched through the capital, both protesting against cuts in school budgets. The first was led by the COBAS union, which had called for a strike, while the second was a students’ rally.
Over Mother’s Day, Catholic and neo-fascist organizations demand an end to abortion
Submitted by StrugglesInItaly on May 18 2012 17:16
Thousands of people marched on Rome on Mother’s Day morning, 13 May, to demand the ban of abortion in Italy.
They were “pro-life” militants, coming from different Catholic and right-wing organizations —among them, fundamentalist religious organizations such as Militia Christi, and the neo-fascist party Forza Nuova. But by far the most worrying thing – even if it does not come unexpected – is the patronage given by the Rome township to the demonstration.
Accusations against housing movements in Rome demolished by Tribunal
Submitted by Italy Calling on Apr 4 2012 11:28
In September 2009, hundreds of Carabinieri stormed a school in the Magliana area of Rome and arrested dozens of people who were occupying it. The charges made against them were super harsh: organised crime, extortion, possession of weapons, theft, assaulting police officers, and more.
The arrests took place during a relentless propaganda campaign orchestrated against the occupations by the local media. Several politicians, including Rome’s Mayor Alemanno, released statements in solidarity with the police operation, against those “dangerous criminals” that were hiding behind the occupations. A few people spent months in prison, some lost their jobs as a result of it.
Occupy Rome – one week after
One week after the now (in)famous Roman 15th October that ended up on worldwide headlines as “the only protest of the Occupy movement that ended in violence and riots”, and here we all are reading and writing about it.
At the end of the protests 70 people had been injured, and 12 arrested during the riots in Piazza San Giovanni. All of the arrestees are young and have no previous criminal record, like the ones arrested for the events of December 14 last year (all consequently released without charge).
Occupy Rome 15 October 2011
Submitted by Italy Calling on Oct 16 2011 21:28
A summary of yesterday’s events would be useless, as I’m pretty sure by now you’ve all read the big headlines about riots and clashes with the police at the “Occupy Rome” demonstration. If you haven’t, a good starting point is this video (in Italian). For some info in English, check Al Jazeera’s reports. (Neither reports are completely unbiased, don’t ask too much…).
Just like on December 14 2010, the protests got “violent”. The huge issue on which the Italian movements seem to be particularly stuck on, especially since the G8 in Genoa, is the eternal debate “Violence vs Non-violence”. I’m not going to go deep into this here cos it’s not the right place.
Beyond democracy - Roi Ferreiro
An essay on the "socio-historical roots" of democracy, utilizing etymological and historical analyses of the term's use and meaning in ancient Greece and Rome to reveal its limitations and suggesting its practical and theoretical supersession in "ochlocracy". Includes subsidiary reflections on decentralization and populism.
Beyond Democracy – Roi Ferreiro
Introduction
Photo gallery: student protests in Rome, 14 December 2010
Submitted by Ed on Dec 15 2010 08:00
As Berlusconi wins a vote of confidence, students continue to protest the new education reforms. News report here.
14/12/2010: An account of today's protests in Italy
Submitted by Italy Calling on Dec 14 2010 21:58
As Berlusconi wins a vote of confidence in Parliament, the Italy Calling blog reports of protesters taking to the streets in Rome, engaging in running street battles with the police.
It’s difficult to make out a clear picture of what’s been happening today, when Italian websites and blogs are still being inundated with of updates, reports, pictures and videos. While Berlusconi was narrowly winning a vote of confidence in Parliament (314 to 311…3 fucking votes!), thousands of people took to the streets to protest once again against the Gelmini reform and the government.
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