Call to ban neo-fascist groups after violent protests in Rome – By Hannah Roberts (Politico) / Oct 11 2021
Forza Nuova led anti-vaccine protests that turned violent.
ROME — The Italian government is under pressure to ban neo-fascist movements that took part in violent anti-vaccination protests at the weekend.
On Saturday, demonstrators trashed a union building and attacked a hospital emergency room as part of a day of violence that has been likened to the Capitol Hill riot in Washington in January. The protest left 38 police officers injured, with 12 protesters arrested including the leaders of a neo-fascist group called Forza Nuova (New Power).
The group, which does not allow vaccinated people to join, has sought to make political capital from the pandemic, infiltrating violent anti-vaccine and anti-mask protests since the early days of lockdown.
Demonstrators were protesting the introduction of a mandatory health pass for all private and public sector workers, which comes into force on Friday. Workers must prove they have been vaccinated or passed a negative test, or risk being suspended without pay.
