Italian Official Deems Police Use of Force on Minors During Pro-Palestinian Protest a ‘Loss’ – Sky Bulletin
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MILAN (AP) — The Interior Minister of Italy, reflecting on the recent incidents where police used batons on high school students during a demonstration in Pisa, described the event as a “defeat” during an address to lawmakers on Thursday. He also expressed concern over escalating violent acts in pro-Palestinian protests.
Public outrage sparked in Italy after police actions against two pro-Palestinian protests in Florence and Pisa cities were deemed excessive, especially as the latter involved underage participants. At least 11 students reported injuries following the police’s baton response in Pisa.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella responded by emphasizing to the Interior Minister that the strength of law enforcement should not be gauged by the use of batons but rather their ability to provide safety while simultaneously upholding the right to freedom of expression, stating “With kids, truncheons express failure.”
Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi recounted to the Chamber of Deputies that the authorities in Pisa were met with resistance as demonstrators attempted to break through a police block with aggressive behavior, resulting in injuries to 17 protesters — including 11 minors — and to two police officers.
The minister underscored the significance of peaceful protest and transparently investigating incidents of conflict, especially those involving minors, which he described as “a defeat” in such cases.
Bystanders captured video footage showing several riot gear-clad officers using wooden batons on demonstrators in Pisa. As a result, the responsible officer was reassigned, according to Italian news outlets. Piantedosi pointed out that both the demonstrations in Pisa and Florence were unauthorized, lacking the required advance notice to authorities.
He also highlighted an increase in hostile behavior towards the police at pro-Palestinian demonstrations, theorized to be intentional provocations. Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks, authorities have noted disturbances at 33 out of 1,076 protests.
FAQ
- Why did Italian police use batons against demonstrators?
According to the Interior Minister, police reacted when protesters tried to breach a police barrier forcefully. - Were the demonstrations in Pisa and Florence legal?
No, the minister stated that both demonstrations had not given the required official notice beforehand. - What was the result of the police response?
Injuries were reported among the demonstrators, including minors, and some officers were also injured. - What has been the government’s response to this incident?
The Interior Minister described the situation as a “defeat” and called for thorough investigations, while President Mattarella emphasized enforcing law without truncheons. - Has there been an observed trend in the pro-Palestinian demonstrations?
The minister noted a growing trend of aggression aimed at provoking police reactions during these demonstrations.
Conclusion
The recent acknowledgment by Italy’s Interior Minister of the inappropriate use of police force against minors during a pro-Palestinian rally highlights the challenges of maintaining public order while respecting the rights of individuals to protest peacefully. The government’s commitment to investigate these incidents transparently is crucial in upholding trust in law enforcement and ensuring such “defeats” do not happen in the future. As the situation unfolds, it remains pivotal for the authorities to balance security and freedom of expression, especially when the protestors are young students.
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