Protests and tension mar 70th anniversary of Marcinelle mining tragedy

The 70th anniversary commemoration of the Marcinelle mining tragedy was overshadowed by protests and political discord. Tensions flared as a small but vocal group of demonstrators awaited the arrival of the Italian delegation, led by Senate President Ignazio La Russa. Police intervention against the protesters was described as "muscular" by the newspaper Le Soir.

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giving the floor to Ignazio La Russa, to fascist ideas, is an insult to the memory of the victims and the workers who fought in this place.

During La Russa's speech, some attendees dramatically turned their backs. These individuals, identified by a "Fgtb-Cgil" scarf, were protesting the invitation of La Russa, whose political views they deemed an "insult to the memory of the victims and the workers who fought in this place." Martine Vandevenne, a protester, emphasized that giving a platform to "fascist ideas" was disrespectful.

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hypocrisy of those who defend workers and 'close borders'

Adding to the charged atmosphere, Charleroi Mayor Thomas Dermine, a member of the Belgian Socialist Party, accused those who defend workers while "closing borders" of hypocrisy. He repeatedly stressed Charleroi's identity as an "anti-fascist city." His remarks were met with widespread applause, while La Russa appeared to dismiss them with sarcastic smiles.

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Charleroi is an anti-fascist city.

Despite the protests, La Russa later called the act of turning one's back during the commemoration "serious and shameful." He criticized the protest as a political display of contempt for state institutions, particularly at a moment of national remembrance for the 262 victims, many of whom were Italian compatriots. He argued that Marcinelle should be a place of memory and dignity, not political division.

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Turning one's back during the Marcinelle commemoration is a serious and shameful act. Today, during the ceremony for the 262 workers who died in the mine, some CGIL representatives chose to turn their backs while the President of the Senate Ignazio La Russa spoke and read President Mattarella's message. A political protest transformed into a gesture of contempt towards the State Institutions, precisely at the moment when Italy pays homage to 262 victims and the sacrifice of so many of our compatriots.