In 500 in the square in Vicenza (with 37 degrees) against the conference with Vannacci: It's an anti-fascist city, I scold him for speaking here

In the heart of Vicenza, on a sweltering Sunday afternoon marked by temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius, hundreds of citizens took to the streets in a show of solidarity against a controversial political event. Approximately 500 demonstrators gathered in the city center, their voices rising above the heat as they protested the presence of General Roberto Vannacci, who was scheduled to speak at a conference at the Teatro Comunale alongside journalist Giuseppe Cruciani. The event had been organized by former parliamentarian Alberto Filippi in support of jewelry designer Mario Roggero, who had been convicted in appeal for killing two robbers. The demonstration, organized by anti-fascist groups and leftist organizations, called for Vannacci's expulsion from the city and denounced his views as fascist.

The tensions leading up to the protest were evident even before the day began. Early in the morning, graffiti appeared on the walls of the Teatro Comunale, including messages such as "Respect the environment. Kill the Fascist" and "Cruciani Fascist." Cruciani responded to these messages on social media, stating, "I love you because you're old: be more creative." This exchange highlighted the growing animosity between the participants of the conference and the protesters.

As the sun climbed higher, so did the intensity of the demonstrations. Anti-fascist collectives, including activists from the Bocciodromo community center, marched through the central areas of the city. They carried banners and chanted slogans such as "Out with Vannacci from Vicenza" and "Vannacci, you must go away, we don't want you." Their chants also targeted Cruciani, referring to him as "a reactionary jester disguised as a journalist."

Despite the extreme weather conditions, the crowd remained steadfast in its message. The march reached Porta Nova, just meters away from the theater hosting the conference. At this point, police officers from the Mobile Unit of the State Police in Padua formed a barrier to prevent any confrontation between the opposing factions. No significant clashes occurred, but the atmosphere remained tense throughout the afternoon.

Representatives from the anti-fascist movement, including Rete Studenti Medi, the Communist Party of Workers, and other local collectives, reiterated their stance that Vicenza would not yield to neo-fascist policies. They condemned the concept of "remigration," calling it a new form of deportation, and emphasized that freedom should be granted to all individuals regardless of their origin or skin color. Their message was clear and unwavering.

Mayor Giacomo Possamai of Vicenza, representing the Democratic Party, addressed the situation, noting that Vannacci’s positions on xenophobia and disability were fundamentally opposed to those of his administration. However, he stressed that the appropriate way to challenge Vannacci was through content rather than vandalism. He acknowledged the democratic outrage over Vannacci's views, which diverged significantly from those expressed in Italy's Constitution, but argued that the only effective method of opposition was through ideas and discourse.

The incident has sparked broader discussions about the role of political figures in public spaces and the limits of free speech. While some argue that Vannacci's presence in Vicenza is an affront to the city's historical legacy as an anti-fascist stronghold, others emphasize the importance of engaging with differing viewpoints through dialogue rather than confrontation. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how these tensions will evolve in the coming days and whether similar protests will emerge elsewhere in response to such political gatherings.