Italy stops to support Gaza, workers and students march in cities
ROME – Italy is on lockdown to support Palestine. In the space of three days, the protests for Gaza have spread from the CGIL union's demonstrations on Friday to those of the independent unions, which have called a general strike for today and are leading students and workers in marches in 81 cities. From the capital to Milan and Naples, from Genoa to Palermo, the protests are growing. The USB (Italian Socialist Workers' Union) estimates " hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions " of people have joined.
The slogan "Let's block everything" echoes the French one against Macron and the maneuver. Its clear slogans include breaking off relations with Israel, embargo, stopping arms supplies, the Flotilla, and fighting genocide . This is a clear departure from the Meloni government's position, which has never been open to recognizing the State of Palestine and has yet to decide how to vote on the new sanctions in Brussels.
24-hour strike in all sectors, public and privateThe 24-hour general strike , called by USB, ADL Cobas, CUB, and SGB , involves transportation (buses, metro, and trains, but not air travel due to the suspension of operations by the Guarantee Commission), ports, schools, universities, healthcare, logistics, and firefighters. The main demonstrations are taking place in Rome's Piazza dei Cinquecento, Milan's Piazzale Cadorna, and Naples's double march from Piazza Garibaldi and the former NATO base in Bagnoli. In Genoa, demonstrations are taking place at the San Benigno and Albertazzi border crossings, aiming to block access to the port . Protests and marches are also held in Turin, Florence, Bologna, Palermo, Bari, Ancona, and Cagliari.
From ports to schools and universitiesThe heart of the protests remains the ports , where the workers' appeal originated. "People will stand at the border crossings and block passage, lending a hand to workers who have been held inside: this will mean a complete halt ," says USB. But what's new is the strong student presence: in Rome, university students from Sapienza University; in Genoa, marches from the schools in Sampierdarena and the university on Via Balbi; similar demonstrations in Bologna, Pisa, Perugia, and Lecce.
Sending a signal to the PalestiniansUSB describes the initiative as "an avalanche of support that overwhelms everything, old memberships and unions." For the grassroots union, "blocking everything means sending a signal to the Palestinian population that we are not standing still." And delivering "an eviction notice to Palazzo Chigi." Support is also coming from the political front. Nicola Fratoianni (AVS) speaks of "a different and better Italy than those who govern, who do not want to be complicit in genocide." Tensions with institutions are not lacking. The FLC-CGIL union in Piacenza denounces "alleged pressure" from the Interior Ministry on some schools, which are urged to confine the initiatives to classrooms "out of caution."
First the CGIL, then the independent unionsToday's strike follows Friday's, when some CGIL categories, such as construction workers and metalworkers, stood down . From Catania, leader Maurizio Landini : "Either you're complicit or you're on Gaza's side." From Bologna, Democratic Party secretary Elly Schlein : "The government is just talking points." Now the protest is spreading, involving grassroots unions, students, and movements. It's being closely monitored by the police, Israeli websites, and interests . But the crux of the matter is entirely political. The protesters are demanding the government act.
La Repubblica
