Translated by Giulia Maffeis
During the morning of February 23rd in Pisa and Florence, a peaceful student demonstration turns into a real tragedy after a clash with law enforcement.
Following the U.S. veto against the ceasefire in the Middle East, a group of students gathers to hold a "pro-Palestinian" demonstration. In Florence, students move towards the U.S. consulate, where they encounter a barricade formed by law enforcement. In Pisa, the demonstration heads towards the central headquarters of the university, where they also face a barrier. The result is the same: violence.
Indeed, as protesters attempt to bypass law enforcement, they are repelled with batons and force. According to the latest updates, there are approximately 18 injured, including 10 minors, between the two cities. In particular, an image circulates on social media of a girl hit with a baton, causing a nose fracture and a deep cut under her eye.
This event has sparked a heated debate in the country's internal politics. Firstly, the Ministry of the Interior clarified that these demonstrations were not organized, leading to difficulties in managing them.
On the other hand, unexpectedly, President of the Republic Mattarella addressed the incident on February 24th: "The President of the Republic pointed out to the Minister of the Interior, finding agreement, that the authority of the law enforcement is not measured by batons but by the ability to ensure security while protecting the freedom to publicly express opinions. With young people, batons express a failure.”
Subsequently, the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, stated that "undoubtedly, something went wrong. Every time we are forced to use force, we are aware that something did not go in the right direction," emphasizing the need to investigate what happened.
Mattarella's statements found agreement not only within the Italian political landscape, where there is a call to intervene in support of democratic principles, but also on an institutional level. The rector of the University of Pisa, Riccardo Zucchi, stated that the University of Pisa "[...] hopes that all competent authorities intervene to ensure the correct and peaceful democratic dialogue, safeguarding the safety of the population and the student community. It confirms its position characterized by maximum openness to peaceful dialogue among all positions and by the rejection of violence in all its forms.”
The debate then shifted to Parliament, where Elly Schlein and Giuseppe Conte called for clarity and accountability not only from the Minister of the Interior but from the entire Meloni government.
On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini sided with law enforcement: "[...] Being a policeman, a “carabiniere”, or firefighter is always a delicate profession where anyone can make a mistake. What I don't accept is the condemnation of the Italian police as ruthless torturers. Also because if you go to the square with the necessary permits, without insulting, attacking, threatening, pushing, or spitting, there is no problem.”
In short, the issue has been widely discussed in academic and political circles. However, we will have to wait for the reconstruction of the facts to understand what actually happened and what did not work.
Meanwhile, the mobilizations have not stopped, with several young people in all Italian cities continuing to gather. In Pisa on February 24th, the day after the incident, a group held a silent protest, "Let's raise our voice to ensure that our unpleasant experience is not archived and forgotten as always happens […]."
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