Reportage
Piazza del Popolo fills with protests against the Security Bill
“This is the first real large demonstration of opposition to the Meloni government.”
When the chain stopping the truck at the head of the march from entering Piazza del Popolo came off and one realized that the large arena at the entrance to Via del Corso, adorned with Christmas lights, was going to completely fill up, that’s when one realized that the mission was indeed accomplished. It took only a glance to be able to recognize the importance of a day that many had been awaiting for too many years: a demonstration convened by the grassroots, by the social movements, bringing together tens of thousands of people, all the opposition parties and a wide and pluralistic swathe of the public.
The first ones to be amazed were the teenagers, who had never witnessed such a scene. But as the human river wound its way down Via Regina Margherita, a wide and straight street, with people continuing to be tightly packed, even those with years of experience at marches exchanged a few looks of disbelief. The liberating slogan “Siamo centomila!” (“There are a hundred thousand of us!”) began to circulate as the great procession descended from Parioli toward the Aurelian Wall.
The march proper started as scheduled, at 2 p.m. from Verano. This punctuality was itself great news: there was no need to wait until the concentration square was sufficiently packed. The other great news, after hours of heavy rain and with the capital blocked by the perfect storm of pre-Christmas traffic, the Friday strike and bad weather, was that the sun was coming out. The great convoy of protesters could go ahead. They proceeded at a brisk pace, because everyone was aware that the marching route was nearly four kilometers long, so there was no time to waste if they wanted to reach their destination. The quick flow of demonstrators featured, in order, the students, ARCI, the social centers from the northeast and those from Naples, and the hemp growers. The GKN workers marched in the center, behind the large banner “Let's be insurgents.” “The more they criminalize us, the more we have to stick together,” they explained. ”This bill is intended to prevent us from transforming society through struggle.” Speaking from the truck, Christopher Ceresi from the Social Municipalities of Bologna said: “This is the first real large demonstration of opposition to the Meloni government.”
Then there were the Roman social centers ESC, Casale Garibaldi, Communia and Acrobax, marching behind the banner “Your war is our insecurity.” And the CGIL union, which had a prominent presence, together with the branches of the FLC, FIOM, FLAI union. Gianna Fracassi, FLC secretary, launched the battle cry: “No Pasaran!” (“They shall not pass!”). “We need security, not the government's ‘Fear Bill,’” said Michele De Palma for FIOM. ”Security means having a job, not dying at the workplace, having a decent wage. It means preventing femicides, having schools, universities, health care. This bill is meant to prevent us from protesting, from striking. But we will not stop.” “The Security Bill is a blow to democracy. It must be withdrawn immediately,” summarized CGIL organizing secretary Luigi Giove.
The parties followed behind. Giuseppe Conte of M5S showed up for a statement just before going over to the Atreju right-wing festival (he received a few boos). For the PD, Filippo Sensi, Antonio Misiani, Francesco Boccia and Laura Boldrini could be seen. Nicola Fratoianni spoke directly from the truck leading the procession. In the end, he could barely hide how happy he was with his party’s gamble to be the first to endorse the planned protest (the other endorsements came later). Maurizio Acerbo of Rifondazione Communista held up the Communist Refoundation Network’s banner with the words “Full steam ahead” banner. One could also see renowned actors scattered among the crowd: Elio Germano, Michele Riondino, Valerio Mastandrea.
Just before reaching Villa Borghese, activists from the housing movement pitched tents and demanded the right to live in cities that have too-often been turned into hotels. Under the large Christmas tree in the center of the green area, the protesters placed gift boxes emblazoned with slogans claiming the right to dissent and the freedom to demonstrate. “This is just the first step,” the students loudly proclaimed. ”It's time for a permanent and widespread opposition that welcomes everyone who wants to challenge the government.” Then, Jupiter Pluvius, the Roman god of rain, clocked in once more: it started raining again exactly at the end of the march.
The next important dates on the calendar: three days of rallies, meetings and discussions in Rome from Jan. 10 to 12 of the new year. The journey begins again. Most of these people have never stopped moving all these years, but a new shared imaginary and a mutual aid pact makes it possible to unify individual struggles and even solitude – and transform them into something stronger.
Originally published at https://ilmanifesto.it/piazza-del-popolo-piena-di-vita-siamo-lopposizione-a-meloni on 2024-12-15