Thursday 10 december 2009 – today's events: The forces of repression (the same police, carabinieri, and civvies as always) evicted Ca'neira at 6:25am; at 6:45am these forces of disorder had arrived at L'ostile too. The “ostiles” got up on the roof and a rally (around 100 people) took to the streets in solidarity, and blocked Corso Vercelli, stopping the cherry-pickers from getting in, and leading to the first police charge. Out shopping, a woman from the neighbourhood went to buy cigarettes and got beaten across the back and legs for her trouble. (People from the solidarity demonstration took her to hospital).

19.00 A new Ca'neira is born and evicted again before 20:00 with excessive force, following resistance on the roof by some of the squatters and others chaining themselves to the windows; four people are taken to the police station in Via Grattoni and released around 23:00.

20.00 The cops, seeing that the cherry pickers still hadn't got through, decide to clear Corso Vercelli and charge again, this time with more conviction and tear gas, the protestors resist a little and then disperse, with one arrest, and there is some rioting in the surrounding streets.

20.45 After having cleared all watchful eyes from the area, the forces of order go on to take revenge on the protesters cars (searching them and ripping off windshield wipers) and sound-systems and mini-kitchens set up for the event are taken to the dump at Via dall'Amiat. Then the eviction begins.

21.15 the infamous cops reach the roof of L'ostile and take down 3 of the 6 who are resisting there; shortly after they pull the remaining three down by force. The radio is talking about burning wheelie-bins in the surrounding streets.

21.17 The cops charge in Piaza Crispi again, with greater presence, shooting tear gas at head hight; after the charge, morale is still high and people are still massing in Piaza Crispi. They block the junction; the charges and counter charges continue, and the cops are now supported by armoured vehicles that are not moving, for now. Two people are wounded (a broken finger for one, a boot in the face for another) and two arrested. Taking advantage of the police charge, a van speeds away to take the folks from L'ostile to the police station in Via Tirreno. At 22.00 the rally breaks up and we learn that the arrested people will will be escorted to the Maria Vittoria hospital immediately, following injuried sustained in the post-charge beating, because, of course, the cops always need to let of steam. Just ask Stefano Cucchi, the most recent death in Italian police custody.

Solidarity with those arrested and with all the squats.

Fermenti Liberi Attivi

back 2 mainpage