On a day of ordinary administration, Naples transformed into a stage of social conflict.
Hundreds of long-term unemployed people, members of the Movimento di lotta – Disoccupati 7 novembre, surrounded Palazzo San Giacomo, the seat of the Municipality, transforming the square into a civil battlefield.
“The commitments made must be kept!” they shouted at the top of their lungs, while the police, in riot gear, tried to contain the enraged crowd. Shields, helmets and truncheons clashed with signs and banners, in a crescendo of tension that kept the entire city in suspense.
The protesters, many of whom have been unemployed for years, have been calling loudly for the activation of public utility projects, a lifeline for those who have lost all hope. “We want to work, not beg!” they shout, as they try to break through the police cordons.
Inside Palazzo San Giacomo, the municipal administration is under siege. The councilor for Labor, Chiara Marciani, has been negotiating for hours with a delegation of protesters, but her promises seem empty. The mayor, meanwhile, remains silent, leaving his citizens at the mercy of anger and desperation.
The city, paralyzed by the clash, watches in astonishment at this scene. Shops are closed, traffic is blocked, daily life has stopped. Naples, once a joyful and welcoming city, is today the mirror of a deep and rooted social unease.
The protest, which began as a spark, risks becoming an uncontrollable fire.
Article published on November 12, 2024 - 21:13
