Italy
2020-11-30
With COVID-19 infections rising and new confinement measures looming, protests have flared up in cities all across Italy. People have taken to the streets to express their concerns about the economic consequences of a second lockdown, which some feel is not being adequately addressed by the government. While protests were largely peaceful, in some cities, including Florence, Rome, Naples, Turin and Bologna, protestors clashed with police as the demonstrations turned violent. Riot police deployed tear gas and several dozen protesters were arrested. There has also been several incidents of physical attacks, intimidation and death threats against journalists covering anti-lockdown protests in several cities.
With COVID-19 infections rising and new confinement measures looming, protests have flared up in cities all across Italy. People have taken to the streets to express their concerns about the economic consequences of a second lockdown, which some feel is not being adequately addressed by the government. While protests were largely peaceful, in some cities, including Florence, Rome, Naples, Turin and Bologna, protestors clashed with police as the demonstrations turned violent. Riot police deployed tear gas and several dozen protesters were arrested. Media reports suggest that the Italian mafia have stoked violent anti-lockdown protests to protect their interests.
Firenze, cittadini in massa contro lockdown e governo Conte. Scontri con la Polizia che ha bloccato il corteo non autorizzato. #Lockdown #RadioSavana pic.twitter.com/QRSIAjr60B
— RadioSavana (@RadioSavana) October 30, 2020
Nuovi scontri a Roma: cariche della polizia in Piazza del Popolo pic.twitter.com/N6q4cn5mWH
— Local Team (@localteamtv) October 27, 2020
Italian journalist Mimmo Rubio threatened over coverage of COVID-19 protests and organised crime
— CoE Media Freedom (@CoEMediaFreedom) October 30, 2020
🚨Alert submitted by @pressfreedom
Find our more👉https://t.co/keMLIVlnv0#EuropeForFreeMedia pic.twitter.com/KyI1GX3H6C
A joint statement by International Press Institute (IPI), European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF), European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and others condemned the physical attacks, intimidation and death threats against journalists covering anti-lockdown protests in several cities. According to Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR),over three weeksat least nine incidents involving 14 members of the Italian media in six different cities have been documented. The cases include:
Over the last 3 weeks, #MediaFreedomRR partners have documented at least nine incidents involving 14 members of the Italian media in six different cities in relation to anti-lockdown and anti-mask protests. Here is our statement https://t.co/7TMe4Cqgyk #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/RxVwemSEcH
— Media Freedom Rapid Response (MFRR) (@MediaFreedomEU) November 11, 2020
Reporters Without Borders also condemned violence against journalists.
“During a public health, economic and social crisis of this scale, journalists should be more than ever able to cover the situation. But the media are the targets of systematic violence that is intensifying by the day. We call on all Italian politicians to firmly condemn these attacks and we urge the police to provide journalists in the field with real, constant protection.”- Pavol Szalai, the head of RSF’s European Union and Balkans desk.