The Askatasuna social center in Turin, run by Autonomia Contropotere, was evicted this morning by the Turin police's DIGOS (Special Operations Unit). This measure has been repeatedly requested by center-right parties, both local and national. "A clear signal from the state: there must be no room for violence in our country," Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi immediately commented. "They can close, evict, or arrest us, but they will always find us on the streets. Evicting Askatasuna is the clear will of a fascist government to thwart the massive demonstrations for Palestine," said the activists protesting.
The protest began in the evening, and they attempted to reenter the building, but were repelled by water cannons after throwing firecrackers and bottles at law enforcement. About a dozen mobile police officers were injured: according to police headquarters, they were injured by blunt objects thrown at them. Protesters also reported injuries among their ranks.
Nearby schools remained closed and will remain closed tomorrow to prevent further protests. Police personnel executed eight search warrants, including one at dawn in the building at Corso Regina Margherita 47, occupied since November 1996.
Six activists were found on the third floor of the building, unusable except for the ground floor. Their presence in an area outside the ground floor violated a clause in the agreement between the Municipality and a committee of guarantors, which for over a year had established the intention to develop this into a commons project. "This situation constitutes a breach of the terms of the collaboration agreement, which has therefore been terminated," said Mayor Stefano Lo Russo. "We ask the City Council and the political forces that support it to work towards reactivating the project," the guarantors responded.
The measures carried out by the police, with the Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza supporting public order and the fire department for technical matters, are part of the investigation that has dozens of suspects for which occurred during pro-Palestine demonstrations, as well as the temporary occupations of the platforms at the Porta Nuova and Porta Susa stations on September 22 and 24. Electronic devices and clothing, which were allegedly used during the violent acts, as well as smoke bombs, were seized. The alleged crimes include private violence, aggravated bodily harm, disruption of a public service, aggravated damage, aggravated assault and resistance to a public official, and roadblocks.
