TURIN. Comala does not want to die. This is demonstrated by the 1,500 signatures of the paper petition, collected in a few days, which are echoed by the more than 7,000 of the online one. And this was reiterated last night by the many present at the public assembly called by the members of Comala to tell the story of the cultural center. And how everything they built in 10 years risks being swept away, to make room for the Esselunga service road that will rise in place of the Lamarmora garden. Despite the wind and rain, a crowd of students, workers and retirees were present. But also representatives of politics and local associations gathered under the tensile structures that usually host the study rooms of the diffused campus. A heterogeneous and colorful audience, united by the desire to understand and stop the overbuilding and prevent the destruction of a place that many call home. Two hours of speeches and questions, with free microphone. «Because here it is not just about our future» explains Pasquale Landi of Eufemia, an association that, together with Comala, lives in the spaces of the former barracks. He continues: “This will be an enormous transformation, which will affect the whole neighborhood and all those who live there.” And there were many, in fact, who made their voices heard. Voices trembling and determined, angry and passionate. «Comala – says Simone – is the only place where since I was a child I have been able to express my passion, music, and find a space for dialogue and sharing of words and thoughts. Because Comala is a place of culture, opposed to capitalism and consumerism ». Because for many this is an either / or, a fight without possible compromises. «I am angry – continues Maria, professor of literature – because Comala, who I lived through my children, embodies everything positive that a society can ask for its young people. Now money and consumerism want to impose their own interests. How could there be dialogue? ». A first reassurance comes from the newly elected city councilor Sara Diena, present at the assembly and user of the spaces of Comala: “On our part there is the will to save these places – he says – We are talking about you in the council”. Of course, times are short, even if it is not known precisely when the executive plan will be voted on in the red room. There are many questions about the timing, the state of the work and how we can act. “Shall we tie ourselves to the trees?” Someone asks from the audience. And precisely the trees were at the center of the interventions of the associations active for the protection of the green city, wishing to emphasize the need to save not only Comala, but also the Lamarmora garden. «This neighborhood – explains Nico Miletto, of the Cit Turin committee for sustainable Turin – has lost almost all the green areas, and more than half of its trees. Many have been demolished here, to create the stadium, and the new project will complete the work of destruction ». “Protecting the area is fundamental – echoes Luca, on behalf of Fridays For Future – We understand it’s difficult to go back and cancel a contract, but we are in a particular situation, on the threshold of a climate crisis that changes the rules” . —
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