Bologna Mayor Defends August 2 Demonstration for Citizen Amid Bombing Anniversary Controversy

Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore is standing firm in his decision to hold a public demonstration on August 2, the anniversary of a devastating terrorist bombing, to honor a recently deceased citizen, Abderrahim Fakir. Lepore defended the commemoration, stating it was necessary to show solidarity with all citizens who have suffered tragedy.

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If the question is whether it is important to be there at this moment, for what happened in recent days in Pilastro, my answer is yes. It is important to participate. Because every time Bologna has been hurt, it has found itself in non-violent participation, alongside the victims' families.

"If the question is whether it is important to be there at this moment, for what happened in recent days in Pilastro, my answer is yes. It is important to participate. Because every time Bologna has been hurt, it has found itself in non-violent participation, alongside the victims' families," Lepore said. He stressed that the August 2 commemoration is a significant event for the city, which he believes is deeply committed to democracy.

The mayor pushed back against criticism, particularly from the right, questioning the connection between Fakir's death on July 19 and the 1980 bombing that killed 85 people. Lepore declared that the two events are entirely unrelated and described any attempt to link them as "mendacious and incorrect." He announced that security would prevent banners or slogans associating the two incidents and that legal action would be taken against those who attempt to do so.

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The mayor is falling into it again. After Monday's riots, with all those injured, why did he call citizens to remember Fakir again?

Lepore drew parallels to previous public demonstrations held in Bologna for other victims, including Alessandra Matteuzzi, who was killed in a femicide, and Fallou, a teenager stabbed to death. "We did it for the femicide of Alessandra Matteuzzi and when Fallou, a boy not even 16 years old, was stabbed by a peer. If we hadn't gone down to the square on Monday and held a vigil for one of our fellow citizens, what would have been said about us? Why should we have left a fellow citizen alone, when we haven't done so for all the others?" he asked.

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Linking the demonstrations is mendacious and incorrect.

Despite the controversy, Lepore insisted that Bologna has historically shown it is possible to seek truth about any tragedy. The official poster for the 46th anniversary bears the slogan "Bologna h. 10.25. No coincidence," underscoring the intent to keep the memory of the 1980 bombing distinct. However, the article notes that maintaining separation from current controversies in Piazza Maggiore has always been difficult and likely will be on Sunday, with reports of a separate march organized by Potere al Popolo.

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We did it for the femicide of Alessandra Matteuzzi and when Fallou, a boy not even 16 years old, was stabbed by a peer. If we hadn't gone down to the square on Monday and held a vigil for one of our fellow citizens, what would have been said about us? Why should we have left a fellow citizen alone, when we haven't done so for all the others?