No Tav Guerrilla Warfare: Hundreds of Masked Individuals Assault Construction Sites; Mattarella Expresses Support for Injured Officers

A violent confrontation erupted in Italy's Susa Valley as hundreds of masked activists, described as "Blocco Nero" and heirs to the Black Bloc movement, attacked construction sites for the high-speed rail (TAV) project. The clashes, which involved Molotov cocktails and firebombs, led to injuries among approximately 50 law enforcement officers and the destruction of several police vehicles.

The "marcia verso i cantieri della devastazione" (march towards the construction sites of devastation), organized by the No TAV movement, saw a large turnout, with organizers claiming twenty thousand participants. However, a more extremist faction, identified as the "Blocco Nero," broke away from the main protest. These activists, many wearing gas masks and protective gear, reportedly followed a coordinated strategy, attacking police and carabinieri forces at multiple sites, including Chiomonte and San Didero.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni strongly condemned the actions, stating on social media, "Those who throw firecrackers, set state vehicles on fire, and assault law enforcement are not defending an idea, they are attacking the state." She added, "Violence will not bend the state: those who serve Italy will never be left alone."

President Sergio Mattarella contacted Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to express his solidarity and gratitude to the officers involved. The President conveyed his closeness to the injured agents, underscoring the state's support for law enforcement in the face of such violence. The clashes represent a significant escalation in the long-standing opposition to the TAV project.