Protests erupt over controversial bridge project during Carnevale

This year’s Carnival in Messina was marred by “no bridge” (no ponte) protesters condemning another group of protesters who also oppose construction of the long-planned Strait of Messina Bridge.

Artist depiction of the planned Strait of Messina Bridge.

In the early hours of March 1, a small “no bridge” procession took place, promoted by a small segment of the “no bridge” movement, which kept out unions, associations, and parties. The Rete degli Studenti Medi and the Unione degli Universitari decided not to join, because they did not agree with the methods of organizing the demonstration.

The demonstration resulted in night sticks being used by the police on the demonstrators, among whom there were also families and children. Representatives of the Rete degli Studenti Medi Messina and the UDU Messina – Unione degli Universitari – remarked, “We can only condemn a management of dissent that uses force as an instrument of repression, a symptom of the climate of condemnation of dissent promoted by our governments. A non-violent and democratic approach is needed.”

Plans to build the bridge have been on the drawing boards for decades but have been and remain a bone of contention on both sides of the Strait.

“However, we do not agree with the method conducted by the organizers of today’s demonstration, who excluded the entities that have promoted the largest demonstrations against the bridge in recent years, which took place in Messina and Villa S. Giovanni, conducted in an absolutely peaceful manner,” said the Rete degli Studenti Medi Messina statement. “We do not accept remaining silent in the face of violence from the police, but we do not want to passively accept an anti-democratic approach from a minority of the no-bridge movement, which is damaging to the battle of all of us. We must all defend together the seriousness of this battle, which cannot be questioned.

“We therefore appeal to the more measured part of the no-bridge movement, which has difficult challenges ahead and which certainly cannot afford to divide, under the most right-wing government in our country that already wants to repress dissent. Faced with all this, we should respond with peaceful and nonviolent demonstrations, to deny the stereotype of riotous protesters, which no one on the left should recognize as productive. Therefore, we believe that a reflection of all the organizations that support the no-bridge battle is needed, to carry it forward with dignity and courage, we want to defend the right to have a future here, and we want to do it with determination.”

“We need the energy of all those who want to continue to demonstrate against the most useless work in history, without damaging our city, indeed defending it from the devastation that would result from the work, our future depends on it. We reiterate our solidarity with those who were present because they wanted to peacefully demonstrate their dissent as free citizens, but instead we distance ourselves from anti-democratic and vandalistic behavior.”