PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release:
Italian elections send a warning across Europe
Anti-racists in Britain have reacted with severe alarm at the exit polls of the Italian elections. The following is a statement from Stand Up To Racism followed by quotes from its co-convenors:
A warning from Italy
The Italian election results should send a warning across Europe.
Although the results are still being counted it is undeniable that a slew of forces that pushed racism during the campaign have won millions of votes.
Among the hard line anti-immigrant parties leading the polls are the racist League Party (Formerly Northern League) and the fascist Brothers of Italy. Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Forza Italia made the deportation of 600,000 immigrants one of his central pledges.
League Party leader Matteo Salvini has spoken of “Illegal” immigrants as “a tide of delinquents and I want to send them home, from the first to the last. We are packed with drug dealers, rapists, burglars — and the League is the solution.” He says Islam is incompatible with Italy’s values and freedoms.
This week Salvini suggested he could talk to CasaPound, the openly fascist group, about being in government together.
Chillingly, Susanna Ceccardi, the League Party mayor of Cascina, said on the eve of the vote, “I read everyone else’s platforms and they are our own. We have imposed our political agenda with the line dictated by Salvini. The League has already won.”
The Five Star Movement, which looks to be the largest single party, has also scapegoated migrants for the country’s problems.
“Italy has imported from Romania 40 percent of that country’s criminals,” the movement’s candidate for prime minister, Luigi di Maio, posted on his Facebook page in April 2017. “Tuberculosis, scabies, Aids, cholera are diseases which have been imported,” the movement’s founder Beppe Grillo wrote on his blog in 2013.
There are many people in Italy who reject racism. Huge numbers have demonstrated against division in recent weeks. But a focused, resolute and ongoing united campaign is now necessary.
Weyman Bennett, co-convenor of Stand Up To Racism said:
“Again and again politicians in Italy have targeted desperate people fleeing poverty, war and climate change. Instead of conceding to them, it’s time for unity and a rejection of these divisive lies.
“The problem is that when virtually the whole political establishment peddles attacks on refugees, it’s not surprising that many voters believe that this is the greatest problem that Italy faces.”
Sabby Dhalu, co-convenor of Stand Up To Racism said:
“We cannot calmly allow this trend of rising support for racist forces to grow. We know it means attacks on migrant, refugees, Muslims and Jewish people. It threatens us all. During the election campaign a fascist went on a shooting spree in the central Italian town of Macerata, wounding six Africans.
“On 17 March we will take to the streets in London, Cardiff and Glasgow against all forms of racism. On the same day there will be dozens of marches across Europe with the same message. We urge everyone to join us.”
For interviews & further information email info@standuptoracism.
Notes for editors:
1. On 17 March, Demonstrations will take place in cities across Europe and the world against the rise in racism & the far right. Stand up to Racism is holding three demonstrations across Britain:
London – 12pm, Portland Place, W1A 1AA, Facebook event;
Glasgow – 11.30am Holland Street, G2 4NB, Facebook event;
Cardiff – 12.30pm, Grange Gardens CF11 7LJ, Facebook event.
London – 12pm, Portland Place, W1A 1AA, Facebook event;
Glasgow – 11.30am Holland Street, G2 4NB, Facebook event;
Cardiff – 12.30pm, Grange Gardens CF11 7LJ, Facebook event.