Ivano Peddis is 23 years old, is completing his three-year degree in Cultural Heritage and has started taking lessons for his master's degree in History. But barring anything new, his studies are in the freezer for the next three years. Last week in Cagliari, together with five other Last Generation militants, he sat on the asphalt of Via Roma, stopping traffic: now for him and another participant, in addition to the complaint for road block and unauthorized demonstration, there is a street sheet of the Police Headquarters. He cannot return to Cagliari until 2026, so no lessons or meetings with teachers. Paradoxically, if he were detained his right to education would in some ways be better protected. After consulting his lawyer, Giulia Lai, he immediately lodged an appeal and in the meantime he studies at home, over 50 kilometers from the university, he finalizes his thesis in medieval archeology and says he is "quite optimistic, we just don't know when we will have an answer" .
Why the optimism?
"There are obvious profiles of illegitimacy."
For example?
«We are registered at the University of Cagliari and this expulsion order cannot be issued to people who study or work in the center from which they are removed. And then when he mentions "social danger": we all have a clean criminal record."
Can't you take lessons remotely?
«No, distance learning ended together with the pandemic».
Haven't you explored this possibility with the university?
"No. But I had a lot of solidarity from the university environment: from colleagues, colleagues, professors and also from members of the central bodies, privately. And I know that on Friday at 10am there will be a solidarity rally at the Monserrato citadel."
More than one says you asked for it.
«In reality we also had solidarity from many people who explicitly said that they did not agree with our method but found the reaction of the police headquarters exaggerated. To those who think we asked for it, I say that we sat down for them too, and that we wouldn't have done it if the other paths had been fruitful. I too have always signed petitions, participated in demonstrations and marches: it didn't help. Therefore, sensational acts are needed, although obviously always nonviolent. The people who criticize us - legitimately, let's be clear - should also take to the streets, and pay attention to one thing: today we suffered this repercussion, but the laws are becoming increasingly stricter and tomorrow it could happen to them for even smaller things."
Isn't preventing citizens from moving violence violence?
"No I do not think so. Apart from the fact that we are not the first nor will we be the last to use this method, given that the shepherds did the same a few years ago, in any case there is no violence in our action. We're just sitting there with our bodies, it's not like we're facing people and saying, "You can't pass." And how long does the discomfort last? Half an hour? It seems to me that it limits the construction site in Via Roma much more, or the parade on November 4th which, in addition to the cars, also blocked the buses. We have left the vehicle lane free, even for ambulances."
Doesn't your action risk making your cause unpleasant?
«The shepherds don't seem to me to have lost sympathy among the people. We are calling for a compensation fund for people affected by climate disasters and it is something that concerns everyone, left and right, motorists and non-motorists. As for the inconvenience, strikes also create it, which in fact the government tries to limit and make useless. But when a railway worker goes on strike he doesn't do it just for himself and his salary, he also does it to provide better public transport to the person who can't catch the train that morning. We don't sit on the streets for ideological reasons: a flood can destroy anyone's home and business, Cyclone Cleopatra destroyed roads and bridges that have not yet been repaired. And they can give the dismissal to us, but not to a cyclone."
Celestino Tabasso