Cricket in balaclava on social media: ‘Make citizenship brigades’

Beppe Grillo he does not back down from his statements on the stage of the demonstration in Rome: “Make the brigades of citizens, put on balaclavas and at night, without being seen, do the chores, react!”. Words that have sparked controversy, reactions and some resignations such as Alessio D’Amato, former Lazio councilor for health with Nicola Zingaretti, who decided to leave the national assembly of the Democratic Party. But despite the controversy, on social media the guarantor of the Movement makes fun of and posts a photo of a man with an M5S t-shirt and balaclava, holding a sign with the inscription “Brigade of citizenship – assault department”. The photo is accompanied by the comments “Brigade ‘Repair of benches’ #brigatedicittadinanza” and “We are waiting for the manhole and sidewalk brigades”.

The 5 Star Movement yesterday returned to the streets against precariousness and to strengthen opposition to the Meloni government. Themes also shared by the Democratic Party and the Italian Left. Elly Schlein took part in the initiative by passing through Piazza della Repubblica to say hello. Then hug her with Joseph Conte and the guarantee “joining forces for common battles”. But on the Ukraine issue, you are being overwhelmed by criticism from your own party. Then, at the end of the procession, Beppe Grillo takes the scene. Between jokes and strong phrases, he invites the “sleepers” of the Movement to react. “Start making the brigades of citizenship – he says from the stage to the pentastellato people – disguise yourself with the balaclava and secretly go to do the chores, arrange the sidewalks, the flower beds, the manhole covers, without attracting attention”.

Words that have sparked a hornet’s nest of controversy. The right arises, from Maurizio Lupi of Us Moderates to the League, which defines Grillo’s statements as “serious and disconcerting”. To then launch the provocation to the Democratic Party, who took to the streets to support the pentastellata mobilization. “We ask ourselves – writes Salvini’s party in a note – if even Schlein be ready to wear a balaclava “. The senator of Italia Viva is also tough Enrico Borgo, who invites Conte to “distance himself from this drift”. It is unacceptable for the former dem to evoke “subversive organizations that have written among the bloodiest pages of the Republic”. Even in the Democratic Party there is some discontent. “A show that doesn’t make you laugh”, the comment of Deborah Serracchiani.