Protests in Rome and cities across Italy against Iran regime.
Amnesty International Italy and Women Life Freedom for Peace and Justice are staging a demonstration on the steps of city hall in Rome on Friday to express their solidarity with the Iranian people.
The Rome rally, scheduled for 16.00, comes amid a brutal crackdown by Iranian authorities on mass protests that have left thousands dead and put tens of thousands in prison, amid a total internet blackout.
In addition to numerous civil associations, the Italian political world will be strongly represented at the Campidoglio, with senior politicians from most political parties set to attend.
Among those expected from the centre-left opposition are Partito Democratico (PD) leader Elly Schlein and Movimento 5 Stelle (M5S) leader Giuseppe Conte, news agency ANSA reports.
The leaders of the Green Left Alliance (AVS), Angelo Bonelli and Nicola Fratoianni, and the secretary of Più Europa, Riccardo Magi, will also be there, as will the city’s centre-left mayor, Roberto Gualtieri.
Members of the centrist Italia Viva party are expected too, while the centre-right Forza Italia will be represented by city councillor Rachele Mussolini, ANSA reports.
Leader of the centrist Azione party Carlo Calenda will not be present at the rally on Friday but will instead join the Radicali at the march scheduled for Saturday at Piazzale Ostiense.
Italy’s president Sergio Mattarella on Thursday condemned what he called the “brutal massacre” of anti-government protesters in Iran.
Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani on Monday said that Italy was withdrawing all non-essential staff from its embassy in Tehran, while on Wednesday the foreign ministry urged all Italians in Iran to leave the country.
Amnesty International Italy is holding other rallies in cities around Italy including Bari, Bologna, Florence, La Spezia, Lecce, Trieste and Verona. For details see official website.
Photo credit: Federico Gallucci / Shutterstock.com.
