They waited exactly one month. To make the vandalism even more representative and crude against a symbol of law, freedom and the fight against discrimination such as the three rainbow benches installed in a park in Aversa, in the province of Caserta, last May 17. The occasion was the day against homophobia that just yesterday, June 17, gave the worst expression of himself with an unspeakable scar. The benches were smeared but not with any scribble: three black swastikas suddenly appeared, a clear fascist, extremist signal and a message of hatred, intolerance and war aimed at the LGBTQ + community.
The threat
The news of the vandalism was given by the Rain Arcigay group of Caserta who, through the provincial secretary Francesca Merolle, commented on the organization’s Facebook page: «We are very sorry for what has happened. The people who vandalized the three rainbow benches at Parco Pozzi in Aversa did not understand the very meaning of our action ». “We do not be intimidated by those who still want us invisible – pointed out the president Bernardo Diana -. It is necessary and urgent to speed up the approval of the Zan law. We can not wait anymore”. As a response and immediate action to combat vandalism and hatred, unfortunately still very widespread against the LGBTQ + community, the benches were quickly cleaned. To be able to be relocated with the same original colors, bright and bright without any violent sign to obscure the deep meaning. And above all “impervious” to any type of affront and threat that wants to question the fundamental freedom, never questionable, of being able to be oneself. Anytime, anywhere and in any conditions. By law and without any compromise.
I gay “malati”
“We are saddened by yet another shameful act of offense against our community,” Francesco Napoli, president of the Arcigay of Salerno, explains to Stampa.it. A few weeks ago, he had intervened to stigmatize another episode of serious discrimination that always occurred in Campania, in Eboli where a professor during a lesson in Dad had defined homosexuals as “sick who need to be treated”
The drifts of intolerance
“We can read it as a further sign of hatred and intolerance that is added to the many others we have registered in recent months – continues Naples, which denounces an increasingly intolerant climate in the regions of southern Italy -. Our closeness to the friends of Arcigay Caserta and to the city community of Aversa. We are aware that the majority of people are disgusted and opposed to these acts. We ask everyone to oppose these drifts of intolerance ». “We hope that whoever is aware of elements that can trace those responsible will come forward and say what they know – concludes the president of Arcigay Salerno -. In fact, these phenomena are not limited only by the rules, which are also a priority and an urgency to be reached in a short time, but above all through the responsible commitment of all and all of us. We hope that the forces of the Order can shed light on this episode and that we can heal this wound that tarnishes the good name of the entire city community. We also hope that local, regional and national institutions take a stand against these acts and make concrete choices by supporting educational and inclusion paths ”.