Thousands of neo-fascists rallied in Italy last night to honour the death of a member of the extreme right group from 50 years ago.
‘Roman salutes’ were performed alongside banners saying ‘honour to the fallen comrades’ as more than 2,000 people gathered to mark the anniversary of Sergio Ramelli’s murder in Milan, local media reported.
The 18-year-old member of the youth wing – Fronte della gioventù – was attacked outside his home with a wrench by members of the far-left group, Avanguardia Operaia, in 1975. He died 47 days later.
Echoes of Bella Ciao could be heard through the procession in via Paladini as Milanese locals sang the anti-fascist resistance song from apartment windows.
Crowds the gathered in front of the Italian flag and a wreath of red flowers was carried at the beginning of the march while police watched alongside.
The Italian Social Movement (MSI) ended their procession with a ‘Roman Salute’ – also known as the Fascist salute – towards Ramelli’s mural.
The gesture involving an extended right arm with a downward-facing palm is said to have originated in ancient Rome but is now often associated with 20th century fascism.
At 10pm sharp, Ramelli’s name is chanted three times, with ‘present’ chanted back three times in response.
Thousands of neo-fascists rallied in Italy last night, performing the ‘Roman salute’ in honour pf the death of a member of the extreme right group from 50 years ago
Members of the Italian Social Movement (MSI) lit torches, held banners and set off fire crackers in Milan yesterday evening
Sergio Ramelli – the 18-year-old member of the youth wing – was attacked outside his home with a wrench by members of the far-left group
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni posted a long message remembering the anniversary of Ramelli’s death, explaining why her government decided to release stamp dedicated to the young activist.
She said: ‘A month and a half ago my government decided to dedicate a stamp to the memory of Sergio Ramelli, for us a gesture that is much more than symbolic: it means affirming that his story and his death are a piece of Italian history that everyone on the right and left must deal with.
‘Today that memory is starting to be shared more, in an attempt to heal a deep wound that must unite all the innocent victims of hatred and political violence.’
A plaque for Ramelli was also revealed last month at his old school in Milan, despite protests from left-wing students.
Milan’s Mayor, Giuseppe Sala, suggested that a street be named for every young victim of a terrorist attack and welcomed the approval of the Senate president, Ignazio La Russa.
‘I think it would be a good thing to name a square or a street after the young people of Milan who were victims of the brutal terrorism of those years,’ he was reported to have said in Sky TG24.
Neo-fascist and members of extreme far-right groups hold torches as they gather to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Sergio Ramelli
Echoes of Bella Ciao could be heard through the procession in via Paladini as anti-fascists sang the resistance song from apartment windows
A man performs the fascist salute towards Ramelli’s mural in Milan before Ramelli’s name was chanted three times
A plaque for Ramelli was also revealed last month at his old school in Milan, despite protests from left-wing students
Emotional extreme-right activists paid their respects to the murdered youth member
A neo-fascist is seen kneeling at the mural dedicated to Ramelli
Far-right militants perform the fascist salute (with the right arm extended and the hand open) during the commemoration Ramelli’s murder
A man with a tattoo reading ‘Skinhead 88’ attended the neo-fascist rally
Neo-fascists held up a banner saying ‘honour to the fallen comrades’
A wreath of red flowers was also carried at the beginning of the procession
He added that this ‘is not the time to increase tensions, but to lower the tone and only remember that period’.
La Russa, who attended the demonstration, said ‘the individual stories are different, but if a square wants to bring together young people who lost their lives in a tragic moment in our history, I am in favour’.
He continued to say that the most important thing ‘is that there is no more violence. The intent is to offer all Italians a sign of harmony, peace and pacification and above all love. Today we say no to any type of violence’.
