Italy: Clashes at FN demonstration
01 June 2000
On 13 May a Forza Nuova rally led to clashes, when police charged a "social centres" (leftwing young peoples' centres) protest in central Bologna. FN leader, Roberto Fiore, claimed a "victory" during the 10-minute rally, which saw 150 fascists celebrating the opening of an office in the area. Afterwards FN supporters were escorted into cars and buses by the police. Around 10,000 protesters had gathered to oppose the rally, including trade unions, anti-fascist veteran's associations, left parties and social centres. Renzo Imbeni, MEP for the Democratic Left, said "The left did not want to accept an initiative which violated Italian constitutional law. The justification of fascism should not be expressed."
Clashes between police and demonstrators ensued after vice questore (deputy chief constable) Della Rocca ordered repeated charges, using teargas and armoured vehicles to drive demonstrators back. Members of the counter-demonstration's front line wore tyres covered with nylon to protect themselves. Leoncavallo social centre issued a statement after the demonstration, criticising the "extremely violent charges". The statement alluded to recent demonstrations in Ancona, Genova (anti-GM) and Bologna (anti-OCSE) to argue that the police violence was far from an isolated incident; they attacked the policy of "using the truncheon" to undermine support for protests. "They are countering the mass...movement...with institutional violence which is serious and, most importantly, out of control."
The FN has 40 offices covering all but five of Italy's regions. It claims to have set up youth training camps and blends militant catholicism with street violence. They support Jorg Haider's policies and their relationship with the Austrian far-right leader has been getting closer. A delegation from the Freiheitliche Partei Osterreichs (FPO) had been expected at the rally in Bologna, although FPO reportedly backed down at the last moment. However, Haider did have time to meet Renato Martin, the mayor of Jesolo in north-east Italy (formerly of Lega Nord and now representing an independent list), invited him to the city to give him the keys to the city as an "honorary citizen" on 9 June. The ceremony was attended by few supporters and a larger contingent of protesters who clashed with police. He later visited Udine and Venice, cities with centre-right local governments, under the pretext of promoting tourism to Carinthia. Interviewed by L 'Espresso in June, Haider spoke of "our northern Italian friends", claiming "agreements on programs" and expressing "pleasure for the cooperation between Forza Italia, Alleanza Nazionale and the Lega".
L'Espresso 8.6.00; 11 Messaggero 14.5.00; www.ecn.org/lists/ecn-news; Searchlight July, August, 2000; Repubblica [darer; 11 Manifesto 8 & 9.7.00; L'Unita 16.3.00.