Antifascists were busy on the streets of numerous European cities this weekend to counter demonstrations by opportunistic groups of fascists. Here are a few of the demos that took place.
HoGeSa knocked about in Hannover
After 5,000 neo-nazi and football hooligans marched in Cologne, Germany “against ISIS” a few weeks ago – antifa groups had a rude awakening to this new far-right street movement and were caught off guard. Not so in Hannover on Saturday when the fash were convincingly smashed off the streets all day. Good work comrades!
HoGeSa = hooligangs gegen salifisten “Hooligans against Salafists”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X03zkADWEvk[/youtube]
Forza Nuova in Vicenza
Antifascists in Vicenza, Italy, mobilised in their hundreds on Saturday against a visit and lecture by Roberto Fiore, leader of the Italian fascist party Forza Nuova. They set up a cordon sanitaire with giant placards that read “Stop the racist virus”. The police used tear gas and charged at the demo but people held their ground.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu_a0pzpMhc[/youtube]
Tensions in Rome
The economically-deprived Tor Sapienza neighbourhood of Rome, an area which also has a high number migrants, has seen an increase in already widespread anti-migrant violence which culminated last week in an attack on a centre accommodating unaccompanied child refugees. The children, many of whom had fled conflict zones in rickety boats without their parents, eventually had to be evacuated from the area. Then on Friday, Mario Borghezio, a fascist politician from Italy’s Northern League party, decided to cash in on the xenophobic upsurge and pay the area a visit. He and his supporters were met by hordes of anti-fascist resisters.
Zwarte Piet protests in Gouda, the Netherlands
Meanwhile, at least 90 people were arrested in the Netherlands during protests on Saturday against the nationally-broadcast ‘Zwarte Piet’ celebrations. The Zwarte Piet character is the servant of Sinterklaas, aka Father Christmas. During the public ceremonies he is depicted as a negative black stereotype – a childish idiot and servant – by blacked up white people.
Largely taken from post on rabble.org.uk
