The grassroots mobilization ---- In recent weeks, a national
socio-political movement has emerged in Italy unlike anything seen innearly 20 years. ---- The wave of indignation and insurrection was
sparked by the now intolerable genocide of the Palestinian people and
the acts of piracy and kidnapping against the crews of the Global Sumud
Flotilla perpetrated by the State of Israel. But as it gradually grew
and gained strength, this wave inevitably encompassed a vast number of
social, trade union, work, student, and youth groups, encompassing every
social and personal condition, age group, and origin.
A gigantic convergence, finally unitary and dialoguing while maintaining
individual specificities and identities.
The first overwhelming sign of this powerful grassroots movement was the
nationwide general strike of September 22nd and the formation of
permanent solidarity protests at train stations and logistics and
commercial hubs in many cities. The Roman protest was set up near
Termini Station in Piazza dei Cinquecento, symbolically renamed Piazza Gaza.
The popular mobilization took shape in as many as 100 Italian cities,
taking to the streets on the evening of October 1st and the afternoon of
the 2nd, following the news of the unlawful wiretaps and arrests carried
out by Israeli military forces in international waters off the
Palestinian coast and in Gaza's territorial jurisdiction. It culminated
in the national general strike and numerous city marches on October 3rd,
culminating in the large national march on October 4th in Rome and the
simultaneous demonstrations of support in other cities.
The Rome march on October 4, called by Palestinian associations in Italy
and grassroots unions, not only unequivocally expressed solidarity with
the victims of the Palestinian holocaust, but also pointed the finger at
the war economy imposed by capitalist imperialism, of which the Meloni
government and the sham opposition are colluding instruments. And above
all, it pointed the finger at their complicity in the genocide of a
defenseless people, crushed between the attempt to establish a new
Islamic theocracy by Hamas and its geopolitical allies and the business
ambitions of multinationals already vying for the construction of the
"Gaza Riviera," for the use and consumption of wealthy, unscrupulous
Zionists who, in order to seize control of the Gaza Strip and the West
Bank, do not hesitate to slaughter men, women, elderly people, and
children, calling them "terrorist enemies of Israel."
All the street demonstrations have received the applause and solidarity
of those who, unable to actively participate in the demonstrations and
work stoppages, have expressed solidarity with the movement and the
victims of the genocide since September 22nd. The prevailing propaganda,
which has vainly and falsely blathered about the profound disapproval of
users of public and private services and businesses blocked by the
demonstrations and strikes, has been in vain.
Participation
Despite the police deploying every possible sabotage tactic, the march
proceeded largely peacefully. Photos and aerial footage support the
organizers' estimates of an exceptional turnout. While the number of
people attending the event fell short of a million, the actual figure is
very close.
The overall turnout for the demonstrations that have taken place across
Italy in recent days has reached unprecedented levels.
The Bakunin Anarchist Group
The Bakunin Anarchist Group has participated in all the mobilizations of
recent weeks, in continuity with its action to oppose the genocide of
the Gaza people, the massacre of all innocent victims, militarism and
theocracy, denounced since the attack of October 7, 2023.
On October 4th, a particularly well-attended demonstration took place
(with dozens of comrades), marching behind a banner bearing the slogan
"neither God, nor state, nor war: all free in a free land!".
For a certain stretch, the LEA (Anti-Racist Jewish Laboratory) also
marched with its banner reading "No one will be free until we are all
free" alongside Bakunin's, demonstrating its total rejection of
anti-Semitic positions and its assertion of its anti-Zionist,
anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist, and anti-nationalist ideas, and its
opposition to all forms of authoritarian and discriminatory oppression.
This was in stark opposition to the simplification of the binary
reasoning: "anti-Zionist = anti-Semitic / Zionist = good citizen", with
which government propaganda seeks to manipulate public opinion.
In particular, the Bakunin Anarchist Group, on this occasion too,
coherently questioned the entire framework of the concept of state,
nationalism and theocracy, within the specific political debate.
An effective summary of this is the slogan the group adopted for the
banner it carried in the square until yesterday afternoon, when once
again young people showed increasing interest and participation, as is
happening during the initiatives and conferences organized at the
Anarchist Space at Via Vettor Fausto, 3 Rome.
We are not with them!
A notable feature of the entire movement is its total dissociation from
any form of state violence, ethnic-religious discrimination, and
supremacism of any kind, and its pressing demand for freedom and
self-determination for the Palestinian people, free from any attempt at
further oppression (see Hamas's refusal to disarm and its
counter-proposal, thrown onto the table during the negotiations
"mediated" by Trump, to entrust the management of the Gaza Strip to a
technocratic Palestinian government in which the armed party wants to
have a predominant role).
The raging river of bodies and voices that swept through Rome, mostly
peacefully, was made up of a heterogeneous group spanning every age
group, though mostly young and very young, origin, physical and social
condition. Considering the scope of the converging movement that has
spontaneously formed in recent days, it is impossible to deny that it
represents the REAL country.
From yesterday onwards, government propaganda will no longer be able to
mystify reality by mendaciously shouting "Italy is with us".
WE ARE NOT AT ALL!
Lessons in humanity from those who simply can't take a long weekend.
Inmates with work permits at Bologna's Dozza prison went on strike in
solidarity with the Gaza and West Bank population.
Their statement, among other things, reads:
"For us inmates, going to work is a moment of freedom from the prison
environment we live in. Despite this, we give up a day of freedom and
our wages."
"Divide and conquer" no longer works.
During the massive demonstrations of recent days, the reference to the
choices made by this government has been very strong: the reckless use
of the PNRR to favor military spending rather than social spending
(healthcare, education, welfare, and social security have paid the
consequences), the repression and growing authoritarianism (security
decrees, gag laws, etc.), the subjugation to militarist, capitalist, and
imperialist forces, and the complicity in the Palestinian genocide.
Added to this is the creation and persistence of the Russian-Ukrainian
crisis which led to the proxy war fought in those territories.
This has led to persistent calls for the Meloni government to resign.
But what sequel will it have?
Can the driving force generated by the emotional wave caused by the now
unbearable persistence of the Palestinian Holocaust evolve into a
lasting political and social force? And for how long, before exploding
in the hands of those who are riding its long wave?
Will the unions and grassroots movements, thanks also to the
shortsightedness of the CGIL in spectacularly failing to implement both
timing and political strategy with the mini-strike on Friday, September
19, manage to stay atop this tiger and have the capacity and political
strength to manage what appears (and hopefully will) be a turning point
of historic significance for Italy?
Conversely, how will the government, pressed by the growing resurgence
of popular critical consciousness, react? Could the oppressive systems
implemented to date become a backlash or a reactive ebb from a
population now exhausted by the economic and social crisis?
This movement, likened to a socio-political tsunami, must now find a way
to permanently monitor and mobilize every workplace, school, and
university, as well as every other social and cultural environment and
level.
It must have the strength to continue blocking logistical and commercial
hubs, the transport of goods and supplies to and from Israel.
He must hold on to every inch he's regained against what seemed like an
inevitable right-wing supremacy, but has instead been shaken to its
foundations in just five days. And it's starting to show signs of
weakening, with the stammering of querulous figures like Tajani and
Salvini and Meloni's now ineffective and disavowed victim mentality.
In the unwavering convergence demonstrated by all the diverse social and
political forces that have organized themselves from the bottom up and
united to finally bring about profound change in this country, a
critical conscience that has been dormant for too long under the heavy
blanket of precariousness affecting every aspect of the population's
life seems to have been reawakened.
A libertarian system may not be achieved, but there is a real
possibility of restoring some fundamental freedoms and rights eroded by
the increasingly oppressive authoritarian system implemented by the
government. And perhaps even of reestablishing social guarantees,
economic dignity, and freedoms, which have been ravaged by attacks that,
since Berlusconi's rise, have devastated the lower classes, in favor of
a liberalism that serves only to pad the power and pockets of capitalists.
Meanwhile, 11 more vessels have weighed anchor from Italy: their route
through the eastern Mediterranean is headed toward the coast between
Gaza and Egypt, in a renewed attempt to break Israel's illicit naval
blockade. Arrival is expected in four days.
The wind is changing. And it's blowing ever harder, like on the sails of
the new flotilla.
Fricche, Melitea and Nestor
https://umanitanova.org/solidarieta-senza-confini-roma-4-ottobre-per-una-palestina-libera/
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