Thousands rally in Rome for rival pro- and anti-migration marches

Rome witnessed large-scale rival demonstrations on Saturday, with tens of thousands participating in both pro- and anti-migration marches. The competing rallies highlighted the deep divisions within Italy over immigration policy, particularly as a controversial far-right petition gains momentum. Thousands of police officers were deployed to maintain order and keep the opposing groups separated.

The anti-migration march, drawing several thousand participants, was fueled by a petition titled “Remigration and Reconquest.” This initiative, which has garnered the necessary 50,000 signatures to trigger parliamentary discussion, advocates for stringent measures against foreigners, including coercive returns. The concept of “remigration,” often used in far-right circles to imply mass deportation of ethnic minorities, has moved into the political mainstream.

Speakers at the anti-migrant rally expressed hardline views. Luca Marsella, spokesman for the neofascist group Casapound, stated, “We want to kick the illegal immigrants out – force them out, because they shouldn’t be here.” He added, “And since we’re not politically correct, we’ll say we want to send the legal immigrants home, too – the ones who clearly haven’t assimilated or integrated.” Reports indicated that some participants raised their arms in fascist salutes, shouting references to former Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.

The pro-migration march, attracting tens of thousands, countered the anti-immigrant sentiment with messages like “Skin and sweat have the same color, no deportation.” The debate poses a challenge for Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing coalition. While the anti-migration League party supports discussing the petition, Meloni’s Brothers of Italy and centrist allies have shown caution due to the proposal's links to extremist elements. Critics argue the petition violates constitutional and international anti-discrimination principles by targeting individuals based on ethnicity, potentially affecting naturalized citizens and their descendants.

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We want to kick the illegal immigrants out – force them out, because they shouldn’t be here. And since we’re not politically correct, we’ll say we want to send the legal immigrants home, too – the ones who clearly haven’t assimilated or integrated.