A far-right Forza Nuova (FN) militant
allegedly attacked a youth ahead of an FN protest against
pro-migrant Riace suspended mayor Mimmo Lucano's lecture at
Rome's La Sapienza university on Monday.
The FN man allegedly slapped the youth after they had a
verbal exchange outside the National Library, where the FN
militants gathered before setting off on their march.
There was expected to be trouble if the FN march met that of
a group of antifascists, but police kept them apart.
At Lucan's lecture, the university lecture room was full to
the brim, and some students sang the partisan anthem Bella Ciao.
Lucano's administration of the small town in the southern
region of Calabria has been frequently lauded by commentators
for the way migrants were integrated into the local community
and made a positive contribution to it.
But he had been suspended from his role and is not allowed to
return to Riace due to allegations of involvement in aiding
illegal immigration.
"We are ready to stop the conference of the probed mayor,"
Forza Nuova said.
"We will say no to Lucano, no to ethnic substitution, no to
the business of migrant reception, with a rally by (FN leader)
Roberto Fiore.
"We cannot allow this enemy of Italy to take the podium".
Rightist nationalist League leader Matteo Salvini, the
interior minister said "it is my pledge to let Lucano speak".
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