Shouts, signs and an unmistakable message: “No to war, no to rearmament”. And again “Free Palestine”. The flags of Palestine fly in Cagliati next to those of the Quattro Mori and the flags of A Foras, the association that promoted the demonstration. In the center, among the demonstrators, a small white coffin and a rocket: a symbol of the innocent deaths in Gaza due to the war that has raged for 20 months.
On Republic Day, around 500 protesters filled Piazza Costituzione in Cagliari and the main streets of the city centre to say “once again no” to military exercises in Sardinia, to the increase in war spending and to bill 1660, accused of wanting to “gag any form of dissent”.
Behind the banner “Against military exercises, against rearmament, against DDL1660 and on the side of the Palestinian people”, an antimilitarist wave has developed, denouncing the growing militarization of the Island, considered “the platform for the largest exercises in the Mediterranean” and accusing the Italian government of pushing the country “towards a new world war”. “Military spending is increasing while healthcare and education are collapsing”, the activists shout.
June 2, the symbolic date of the birth of the Republic, is experienced as a paradox in the capital: "While the Constitution is being celebrated, we are sinking into funding weapons. Bill 1660", they accuse, "only serves to criminalize those who dissent, even peacefully".
There is no lack of reference to Palestine. The protesters express solidarity with the population under siege, condemn Israel and accuse Italy of legitimizing the actions of the Israeli government through weapons and political alliances.
"Sardinia knows what it means to be sacrificed for national military interests - they insist - and we will not allow it to happen again. Neither for us, nor for future generations: history will judge you".