Today’s demonstration in Turin is a protest march against the eviction of the Askatasuna social centreannounced as a high-voltage initiative and with the participation of activists from all over Italy. The procession leaves in the early afternoon from Palazzo Nuovo and passes through the central streets of the city.
Political motivations and solidarity with Palestine
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The mobilization was born as a political response to the eviction of the historic social centeroccupied for about thirty years, and is presented by the organizers as a protest against the government’s choices and against what is defined an attack on the city’s solidarity networks, also linked to the Palestinian cause.
Extraordinary measures for public order in Turin
A few thousand people are expected, with slogans in defense of Askatasuna and a climate considered high risk for public order. The authorities have set up an impressive security device, with an armored city, reinforcements from other cities and particular protection for institutional buildings and the area around the former site of the social center.
Lo Russo: «Condemnation of the violence and solidarity with the police, citizens and traders»
«We wish to firmly condemn the episodes of violence that occurred during today’s procession, expressing solidarity and closeness to the police forces involved in the disturbances, called to operate in a very complex and delicate context, to the traders and to all the towns and citizens who have experienced inconvenience, moreover just a few days before Christmas». This was stated by the mayor of Turin, Stefano Lo Russo, after the clashes this afternoon at the demonstration against the eviction of Askatasuna. “Nothing – underlines the mayor – can justify violence and damage, never: these are unacceptable behaviors which not only violate the law, but seriously compromise the credibility, strength and very meaning of the claims, profoundly damaging the cause of those who took to the streets to peacefully demonstrate their ideas, in a legitimate and democratic way”.
Cirio: «The State has shown that it does not allow itself to be intimidated»
For the president of Piedmont «today the State confirmed that it does not allow itself to be intimidated and that illegality and aggression do not find citizenship in Turin and Piedmont. Our full solidarity goes to the police forces, and in particular to the wounded, who faced another difficult day on the field to defend our city.”
Rosatelli: “Unjustifiable violence, Turin is a democratic and anti-fascist city”
«The unjustifiable acts of violence are in antithesis with the values and purposes of the collaboration pact on which we have worked in a spirit of service to the city, of dialogue and non-violence, and are to be firmly condemned because they are unacceptable and because they damage the very cause for which we take to the streets». This was said by the municipal councilor for Common Goods, Jacopo Rosatelli, regarding the demonstration for Askatasuna. «Turin is a city of democratic and anti-fascist tradition – he adds – and has the resources to unite and overcome any difficulty, remaining faithful to its history of social conquests».
Salvini: “Dozers on social centers that are dens of violent people”
«On the one hand, women and men in uniform, who defend the rule of law. On the other side, the usual violent ones, frustrated and failed dads’ boys, who today sent seven officers to the hospital. The eviction of Askatasuna is just the beginning. Bulldozers on social centers that are dens of criminals.” The deputy prime minister and leader of the League, Matteo Salvini, wrote this on Facebook, posting a video of the clashes at today’s demonstration in Turin.
Nine injured among the police
At the end of the procession, according to the Turin police headquarters, the toll was 9 injured policemen
Writings on the walls against Meloni and the mayor
At the end of the demonstration, slogans are projected on the walls around the Gran Madre: “Mayor Lo Russo, infamous servant, Meloni resigns and shitty cops”
End of the event
The procession moves from Corso Casale to Piazza Vittorio Veneto. One of the leaders of Askatasuna, having arrived at the Gran Madre, announces the end of the procession, giving an appointment for the next battles: «We are ten thousand».
Violent protesters repelled
After moments of tension, the most violent part of the march was pushed back towards Via Napione but the throwing of large firecrackers and the police response with water cannons continued.
The police advance
Dumpsters set on fire
Along the street, some bins brought to the center of the road were set on fire. All traffic is blocked from the side streets, including via Rossini.
Stone throwing
The two sides face each other in the smoke of tear gas. Stones are thrown at the police.
Fire hydrants and bins, moments of tension
Water cannons and tear gas against the march, then stones and bins set on fire
“Shame on fascists”
While the police proceed with water cannons, the demonstrators shout “Shame on you fascists!”
Water cannons, firecrackers and tear gas
The procession approaches the evacuated community center. The police try to keep the approaching protesters away with water cannons. A second water cannon is activated and tear gas is fired, the protesters respond by throwing bins and bottles
The hot spot
The procession, after having traveled along Via Napione, is turning into Corso Regina Margherita towards Askatasuna. For the police you will have to turn back into via Vanchiglia, it will be the closest point to Askatasuna
Where is the parade located
The departure of the procession
Councilor Rosatelli: «I’m here to claim the collaboration agreement»
Municipal councilor Rosatelli in the procession: «I am here to express my profound dissent towards the government’s action and its vision. I’m here to claim the collaboration pact. As the mayor of Turin, Stefano Lo Russo, said, it is an idea that we want to relaunch. Progressive Italian cities are under attack by this government.”
Procession has started
The procession leaves and heads towards Corso Regina Margherita
Professor Revelli: “The closure of Askatasuna is a petty revenge”
Professor Marco Revelli was also present: «I am fond of the idea of a city that always has a spark of rebellion and I don’t want it to be extinguished. The closure is a petty revenge by a minister who only knows the instrument of force and violence. I feel at odds with these people. They also chose a symbolic day because on 18 December 22 the squadristi carried out the massacre in Turin.”
Dosio (No Tav): “The struggles will be carried forward by the new generations”
Also at the court is Nicoletta Dosio, historic No Tav leader. On the microphone she says: «The fight will be carried on by the new generations, look at how many young people are here today»
People keep coming
Polacchi (Arci): “We are against repression and the closure of social spaces”
Andrea Polacchi, regional president of Arci Piemonte: «We are against the instrument of repression especially for the closure of social spaces. We think that this is not the solution: the Municipality had started a useful and important process also to regularize the situation in Askatasuna, which was unfortunately interrupted by ideological forcing by the government. We hope that the mayor and the administration can resume dialogue.”
Willie Pejote was also present
The singer Willie Pejote is present: «I don’t speak – he says – My presence is enough»
Alice Ravinale (Avs): «They have militarized Vanchiglia, this is not security»
Among the many present was Alice Ravinale, Avs group leader in the Region. «I live in Vanchiglia and the neighborhood is devastated and exasperated by the militarization of these days. Today there is a quantity of law enforcement that cancels out any rhetoric from the government on the safety of our suburbs.” He continues: «I had no doubt that the city’s participation would be broad in this demonstration because the people who see this thing happen know that this is not an attack on Askatasuna, but on the democracy and autonomy of the cities. It is the last link in a repressive chain that we in this city do not want to see, it hurts everyone.”
All the historical leaders of Aska were present
All the historical leaders of Askatasuna are present at the procession, even those who have made different life choices over time
A resident: “Askatasuna has always guaranteed us space”
A resident of Vanchiglia: «For us Vanchiglia is a lively neighborhood and Askatasuna has always guaranteed us spaces for the neighborhood’s initiatives. But the right and councilor Marrone don’t like this”
Vincenzo Morrone (Aska): “This is not legality, it is the government’s wet dream of moving the police”
Vincenzo Morrone (Aska): “This isn’t legality, it’s a joke”
Protesters from Quarticciolo Ribelle and Leoncavallo
Hundreds responded to the call by taking part in the demonstration. There are exponents of the Quarticciolo Ribelle of Rome and of the Leoncavallo of Milan. But also families with children and residents of the Vanchiglia neighborhood. Among the signs
Every street will be Askatasuna
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Freedom = libertà
The announcement of new protests
There will be a large assembly on January 17th, a large demonstration is planned for January 31st. «Askatasuna does not die: we will be reborn even stronger with a collective project that will bring everyone together»
«We will transform Turin into Val Susa»
“The Meloni government made a coup and today Tajani came to provoke” the activists say into the microphone. «We are not playing this game and this operation will not pass. We will put the experience of the struggle in Val Susa into play here in Turin. They are destroying everything and we invite the city to support us.”
Concentration in front of Palazzo Nuovo
Hundreds of people are gathering in front of Palazzo Nuovo, the starting point of the march against the eviction of Askatasuna. «Today we are here for a specific reason: since Thursday they have been trying to clear out what has been implemented as a real invasion by the police. Turin is a city where people have learned to fight together.” There are families who recognize themselves in the Askatasuna social center because it has brought together different city souls. “They want to erase a social presence and are using every pretext to erase us.”
