May 1st, controversy over the US, NATO and EU flags being burned in Turin

At the end of the May Day procession, today in Turin, after the unions and authorities had spoken on stage and the workers had marched along the Po, the social segment closed the day with a grand gesture: in Piazza San Carlo it was fire at flags of NATO, USA and Europe. That gesture now inflames the controversy of those who claim the square for the workers and not “as a stage for the antagonists”, as he says Nadia Conticelli, Pd group leader in the Turin City Council

NATO, US and EU flags set on fire in the square in Turin

“The first reason we are here – said a speaker – is to say ‘No’ to the imperialist war in Ukraine. We are against the shipment of arms and we are also against the sanctions, which affect Russian workers and the unemployed but not billionaires , who continue to do what they want”. During the speeches from the stage, criticisms were also directed at the Meloni government for “the cancellation of the basic income” and the measures aimed at the “precariousness” of work. In Piazza San Carlo there were activists and militants from Potere al Popolo, the Communist Refoundation, the anti-capitalist Left, Autonomy-Counterpower, No Tav, Si-Cobas.

The reactions to the flags burned in Turin

The reaction of the Pd

“May Day is the day of workers and workers, a day of struggle for rights, not the antagonistic stage”. This is what N saysadia Conticelli, Pd group leader in the Turin city council. “It is offensive – he says – that self-styled antagonistic groups seek visibility and a stage at every opportunity, preaching hatred, division and violence. Praising peace with smoke bombs and bonfires flags is a clear contradiction”. For Conticelli “the protagonists of May Day are first and foremost the male and female workers and their trade union associations, who represent all of us”, and “the massive participation in the Turin procession despite the pouring rain is an important signal, at a time when the government is reducing protection and resources for workers”.

The comments of the Action Group – Italia Viva

“In Turin during the procession they were set on fire flags of NATO, the USA and Europe. Here’s how to ruin Labor Day. Strong condemnation of the shameful actions of these phenomena. All political forces should distance themselves “. The president of the Action-Italia Group Long live Raffaella Paita in the Senate.

“Once again during the May Day procession in Turin there were words and deeds against NATO and the United States, exactly as happened on April 25. On this day dedicated to workers, to all those who do not work they have it and for those looking for a dignified and safe job, it is incredible that space is given to those looking for a moment of visibility by obscuring the themes of work to the detriment of the protesters”. The Turin senator declares it Silvia Fregolent of the presidency of the Action Group – Italia Viva.

More Europe’s comments

“They burn the flags of the USA and the EU during the demonstration in Turin on May 1 for Labor Day. Probably they would like the same working conditions as in China, in Transnistria, in North Korea. We do not. And we are fighting to ensure that work in Italy aspires to the highest European standards, in terms of wages, welfare and rights”. The secretary of Più Europa writes it on Twitter Riccardo Magi.

“Think of what dictatorship and what summary justice we would be subjected to if they were to win, those who burn the flags. This is why the NATO flag has something to do with anti-fascist marches for rights and freedom”. It’s the comment of Silvio Viale, municipal councilor a Turin for More Europe,. The reference to the NATO flag is to the protests of 25 April. Viale states that “the motivation (to carry the banner of the Atlantic Alliance – ed) comes from those who burn the flags of NATO, the European Union and the USA on May 1, pretending to be against war when they advocate all-round violence and war”.