Police officers against pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Pisa and Florence. Schlein: “No more batons” – Videos

Accused and beaten during pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Pisa and Florence. Students took to the streets today, Friday February 23, to call for a “ceasefire” in Gaza. The police, deployed to protect one of the entrances to Piazza dei Cavalieri, where the headquarters of the University of Pisa overlooks, responded with “unheard of violence”, write in a letter 11 professors from the Russoli art high school “. “Just in front of the entrance to our Institute, they launched a first charge then two others against these young people, with their hands raised. We do not know if strong words of indignation and disdain were expressed, or even inappropriate, but the fact is that, without even having to deal with the students or trying to dialogue, we witnessed scenes of unprecedented violence “, we read. As the demonstrators tried to reach the main square, the police lined up to protect one of the entrances then charged and beat the students who tried to cross the barrier. In Florence, however , the demonstrators tried to reach the American consulate. A few dozen meters away, there was a barrage of police officers in riot gear who fired a few charges when the demonstrators tried to advance.

Videos of the incident immediately went viral on social media. Commissioner Sebastiano Salvo stressed that today's march was not authorized and that the charge of the police officers was determined “by a moment of tension resulting from the physical contact between some demonstrators and the police officers who blocked access to Piazza dei Cavalieri. According to what the police headquarters reported, around a hundred people participated in the Pisa procession, mainly middle and high school students but also university students and representatives of social centers. The demonstration, like the one in Florence, is part of the general strike called by the rank-and-file unions, who accepted the call of the Young Palestinians of Italy. In a video, also broadcast on social networks by Shockwave radio, we witness the arrest of two very young students, blocked by police officers and handcuffed on the ground. Tomorrow, Saturday February 24, the national demonstration of solidarity with the Palestinian people will take place in Milan.

The complaint of the rector of the University of Pisa

The rector of the University of Pisa said he was “deeply concerned and disconcerted” by the clashes that occurred this morning in the city center “which caused injuries among university and high school students,” he wrote in a note. “While waiting to receive clarification on the incident and on the work of the police – let us reread – we hope that all the competent authorities will intervene to guarantee a correct and peaceful democratic dialectic, protecting the security of the population and the student community. » . The University, explains the rector, “confirms its position characterized by maximum openness to peaceful dialogue between all positions and by the rejection of violence in all its forms. Concerning the tragic situation in Israel and Palestine, he reiterates his dismay at the terrorist attack last October and the massacre currently underway in the Gaza Strip, joining his voice to that of all those who call for a cease-fire. immediate fire and liberation of the Gaza Strip. hostages.”

Center-right mayor: “Pisa is a place of confrontation, violence can under no circumstances be used”

The mayor of Pisa also spoke about the clashes: “What happened deeply saddened me, even before being mayor, as a citizen and a parent. I called the commissioner and the prefect this morning to demand accountability for what happened. I reiterated to both of them that everyone should be free to express their thoughts freely, at any time. And that Pisa has always been a place of meeting and discussion,” wrote on Facebook the mayor of the Tuscan city, Michele Conti, who leads a center-right majority, commenting on today's riots during the march pro-Palestinian student, implicitly distancing herself from what said the deputy and group leader of the city council of the League, Edoardo Ziello, who had sympathized with the police. “I also want to remind everyone – added Conti – that peaceful coexistence is ensured above all by respecting the rules and that those who do not respect them must be punished. As I hope this will happen to those who were responsible for the raid on our Tour a few weeks ago. But under no circumstances can violence be used to repress a demonstration of high school students. Just as one cannot use violence to impose one's own idea. I want to talk to these children, listen to their reasons and their stories. The Commune of Pisa is a public space where it is possible to express any thought freely and politely,” he concludes.

The condemnation of politics

The case has already attracted political attention. “No more batons against students. The images from Pisa are unacceptable: students locked in an alley and beaten with batons by the police. We immediately submit a parliamentary question to Minister Matteo Piantedosi so that he can clarify. There is a climate of repression that we have already challenged the minister in Parliament last Wednesday. We defend the freedom to demonstrate peacefully,” wrote his secretary Elly Schlein on Instagram. The comment from M5S leader Giuseppe Conte was harsh, according to which “these are disturbing images, not worthy of our country. This cannot be the state's response to dissent”, we read further. The Meloni government must answer for this,” comments Ylenia Zscopio, senator of the Democratic Party, announcing that she will ask a question to Minister of the Interior Piantedosi. Antonio Caso, deputy of the 5 Star Movement, is also on the same line: ” Students are being beaten with batons again, this time in Pisa. The time has come to say enough. Actions against protesters must be balanced and proportionate, otherwise they lead to violence and simple repression.”

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