The controversy sparked by the two opposing marches – by the Student Bloc and the anti-fascists – which paralysed Cagliari on Saturday could also have legal repercussions.
Mayor Massimo Zedda has announced a complaint against UGL Cagliari Secretary Andrea Geraldo , who expressed his dissent against the mayor, the CGIL, and the ANPI, "who participated in an unauthorized march, inciting violence against the youth of the Blocco Studentesco [Students' Block] . The latter," reads a statement signed by the union representative, "activated completely legally to democratically express their opinions regarding illegal immigration. We firmly condemn the incitement to violence by local institutions and unions , which have transformed a citizen demonstration into a battleground and a source of tension. It is unacceptable that young people who, peacefully and lawfully, wanted to make their voices heard, should be labeled fascists and extremists."
Zedda recalled his statements, verbatim : "Freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate were achieved in 1945 when freedom and democracy prevailed. If they, the fascists, had won, we would be in prison, innocent, if not worse, in concentration camps, to paraphrase Vittorio Foa, anti-fascist, Jew, partisan, Action Party member, and socialist elected to parliament as an independent member of the PCI. Provocateurs and violent acts must always be stigmatized and condemned."
And then he added: " Only the secretary of the UGL Cagliari, Andrea Geraldo, knows how these words, the only ones I have ever uttered, could incite violence. Regarding his very serious statements, as soon as possible, together with my lawyer, we will take the legal action we deem most appropriate."
The case will also be discussed in the city council, where Roberto Mura (Alleanza Sardegna) has submitted a question : "The mayor is the president of the Progressive Party, which joined the unauthorized demonstration that led to clashes with the police and a general state of insecurity in the city . Such participation, coming from a party whose president is the mayor himself, could be interpreted as a politically and institutionally significant act, potentially affecting the relationship of trust with the police and the principle of neutrality of the municipal administration." Mura asks Massimo Zedda, among other points, "whether he deems it appropriate to publicly distance himself from any form of unauthorized demonstration or one that could potentially undermine public order."
(Unioneonline)