“Putin is also a dictator who will end badly. Today’s partisans are in Ukraine fighting for freedom, against racism, anti-Semitism and for a free country without dogma and bosses, for a better future”. Words of Bruno Segre103-year-old lawyer and partisan, from the stage in Piazza Castello, where the torchlight procession of April 25th starting from piazza Arbarello.
A demonstration that had been missing for two years, due to the Covid emergency, and on which the shadow of the war in Ukraine weighs, which caused controversy both on the eve and during the march. A Democratic Party flag and a NATO flag were set on fire at the end of the celebration by the Communist Youth Front: “We are against the escalation of military spending – he said Simone Vialnational exponent of the Fgc – ronte – Funds for school, health and social services must be increased “.
“Born out of the demonstration”. Thus some participants in the traditional torchlight procession of April 25 welcomed, even with whistles and insults, the arrival of a delegation of Radicals led by the city councilor Silvio Viale who, as announced, presented themselves in the square with the flags of NATO, together with those of Ukraine and the European Union.
“Those of Ukraine can stay – said the participants inviting Viale to leave the march – but not those of NATO”. An invitation that Viale has made it known that he has no intention of accepting since, he said, “this is an anti-fascist and Italian march, NATO defends Western values against Soviet imperialism. The NATO flags at the march are not a provocation – Viale added – provoking is those who are on Putin’s side behind a false neutralism “.
Already on the eve of the initiative announced by Viale had aroused controversy: “The provocations to Silvio Viale – they said Fausto CristofariTurin secretary of the Communist Refoundation, e Ezio Locatellifrom the national secretariat of the party, who added: “We have been present for weeks in all the squares against Putin and against NATO, against the invasion of Ukraine and against all the wars fomented by the world superpowers competing with each other. Alone. stupid people or people in bad faith can distort the sense of these positions and the meaning of April 25th “.
Words indirectly answered by the mayor Stefano Lo Russopresent at the torchlight procession: “Today is also a day in which we must turn a thought to the Ukrainians who have woken up and have ‘found the invader’. So this April 25th is different from past years, and equidistance is not possible. In memory of that spring 77 years ago which was announced more than ever as a symbol of rebirth – underlined Lo Russo – Turin pays its tribute to the women and men who gave their lives for freedom and democracy, for civil coexistence and peace “.
“I think that anyone at the April 25 demonstration can carry the flag they want, as long as it respects the values of the Resistance”. She said it Daniele Valle, vice president of the Piedmont regional council and president of the Resistance and Constitution Committee, during the procession. “There is a lot of participation – he added – in this anniversary after two years of pandemic, not only at this torchlight procession but also at other events. And this is very pleased”.