We strongly condemn the outrageous sentences of 2 years and 2 months’ imprisonment imposed on eight militants of the Naples Unemployed Workers’ Movement “7 November”. This is justice delivered on cue, coming precisely at a moment when the struggle of Naples’ unemployed workers is achieving victories across the city thanks to the consistency of a struggle that has lasted for years and has succeeded in organising hundreds of men and women, offering collective struggle as an alternative to resignation, degradation and criminality.
These are not merely court rulings. They are an act of State revenge, a very clear message of intimidation directed against one of the most important popular struggles in the city.
When Naples and its working-class neighbourhoods are discussed, we often hear about the “absence of the State”, implying that State intervention can only bring progress and well-being. The truth is far worse. The State is not absent at all.
Today, the Italian State behaves like a master taking revenge on the oppressed when they dare to raise their heads. Revenge is the right word when faced with sentences that are absurdly severe in relation to the charges brought against them.
We express our solidarity with Eddy, Maria, Dario, Vincenzo, Enrico, Marco, Luigi and Davide, comrades with whom we have stood shoulder to shoulder in struggles and mobilisations.
The advancing spiral of repression in Italy is an attack on political and democratic freedoms, aimed specifically at isolating and crushing those who fight against injustice.
Journalists placed under surveillance, infiltration of political parties, security decrees, gag laws and justice delivered on cue are all part of the same reactionary strategy.
Now is the time to close ranks, expose this reality concealed by the media and the press, and respond with clarity and organisation to those who seek to intimidate and isolate us.
Freedom for the convicted comrades!
Political Bureau of the CC — Communist Front of Italy
National Secretariat — Communist Youth Front
