Italy: Joint union call for anti-fascist demonstration in Rome

“No more fascisms” Landini, Sbarra and Bombardieri,
16 October demonstration in Rome

October 10 protest by CGIL members in response to the fascist attack, source: CGIL 

Statement by Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL), Italian Confederation of Workers' Trade Unions (CISL), and Italian Labour Union (UIL)

Posted on 09/10/2021

"The CGIL, CISL and UIL will organize a major national anti-fascist demonstration for work and democracy on Saturday 16 October in Rome". This was stated by the general secretaries of the three trade union confederations, Maurizio Landini, Luigi Sbarra and PierPaolo Bombardieri.

“The squadron assault on the national headquarters of the CGIL” said the three union leaders – “is an attack on all Italian union confederations, on the world of work and on our democracy. We ask that the neo-fascist and neo-Nazi organizations be put in a position to do no harm by legally dissolving them”.

“It is time” concluded Landini, Sbarra and Bombardieri, “to affirm and implement the principles and values of our Constitution. We, therefore, invite all citizens and the healthy and democratic forces of the country to mobilize and take to the streets next Saturday ”.

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Thousands mobilise across Germany against the Far-Right

Lisbeth Latham

Tens of thousands of people joined counter protests against a marches by members of the far right across Germany on May 1.

Sozialistische Alternative report on their website that in Berlin 15, 000 people blockaded the Prenzlauer Berg district, restricting the march by 400 neo-nazis to just 350 metres of their intended 6 km march route.



In Bavaria, more than 15,000 people protested against Nazi marching on the road, with nearly 10,000 in Schweinfurt and 5000 in Würzburg. In Zwickau around 2000 people demonstrated under the slogan "Our city has tired of Nazis" against a march of 300 Nazis. In Erfurt 1,500 people prevented 400 Nazis from marching more than 500 meters.

The Revolutionary Socialist League reports on their website that in Duisburg, 300 members of the far right National Democratic Party of Germany marched in support of legislation against minarets on Mosques. The march, which was met with a counter demonstration of 1000 anti-fascist activists, was allowed to march under the protection of 3000 police. Despite the heavy police presence the length of the NDP’s march was restricted.

In addition to these anti-fascist protests, traditional May Day mobilisations also occurred with the German Confederation of Trade Unions estimating that 484, 000 people attended protests across Germany.

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Our strikes and demonstrations are not reusable by the fascists!

The following is a rough translation of a joint issued by the SUD Rail Federation (the Trade Union Solidaires Confederation’s affiliate in the Rail industry) and the CGT union at the Continental plant in Clairoix (the CGT lead a campaign against Continental's decision to close the plant during 2009). It is taken from the text published on the Solidaires website.

Our strikes and demonstrations are not reusable by the fascists!
Joint statement SUD-Rail Federation / CGT Continental Clairoix

Extreme right wing groups have broadcast on the internet video appeals for their racist and fascist initiatives, which feature many images of social actions, including of railway workers and from Continental. This manipulation shows that the extreme right is looking for a social pretext for its demagogic and dangerous manoeuvres.


At the same time as these groups are increasing racist attacks, attacks are also occurring against social movement activists. The increasing trivialisation of racism in the language of elected officials and political leaders has revitalised and relegitimised a political movement that some thought to be on the brink, but now returns with greater strength in both speech and deed.

The racist escalation succeeds in intensifying the hunt for the undocumented and increasing the pressure to criminalise solidarity. We must denounce the employers' offensive against the social movements which takes on the spirit of Le Pen and lays the foundation for fascism.

The social crisis provides fertile ground for advocates of “every man for himself”. The extreme right has always thrived on misery and mass unemployment. The planned job cuts that follow one after another along with factory relocations offer fertile ground. The masses are still paying and counting the cost of the capitalist financial crisis.

Fighting against the employers' offensive, against the destruction of the welfare state (pensions, social security), is also a struggle against the extreme right. Just like the fight alongside the most vulnerable fringes of the proletariat: the undocumented worker, the unemployed and the employees threatened with dismissal ...

Let's work together so that tomorrow is not worse than today!

Our strikes and protests have nothing in common with those who exude hatred, division, the cult of the leader, the rejection of human rights, ...

Together with other forces union, association and political forces we will participate in the demonstration against fascism, May 9 in Paris.
April 13, 2010

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