A far-right Forza Nuova (FN) militant
allegedly attacked a youth ahead of an FN protest against
pro-migrant Riace suspended mayor Mimmo Lucano's lecture at
Rome's La Sapienza university on Monday.
The FN man allegedly slapped the youth after they had a
verbal exchange outside the National Library, where the FN
militants gathered before setting off on their march.
There is expected to be trouble if the FN march meets that of
a group of antifascists, although the police have said they will
keep them apart.
FN has said it intends to take action to stop Domenico
'Mimmo' Lucano, the suspended pro-migrant mayor of the southern
town of Riace, from speaking at Rome's La Sapienza University on
Monday.
Lucano's administration of the small town in the southern
region of Calabria has been frequently lauded by commentators
for the way migrants were integrated into the local community
and made a positive contribution to it.
But he had been suspended from his role and is not allowed to
return to Riace due to allegations of involvement in aiding
illegal immigration.
"We are ready to stop the conference of the probed mayor,"
Forza Nuova said.
"We will say no to Lucano, no to ethnic substitution, no to
the business of migrant reception, with a rally by (FN leader)
Roberto Fiore.
"We cannot allow this enemy of Italy to take the podium".
Rightist nationalist League leader Matteo Salvini, the
interior minister said "it is my pledge to let Lucano speak".
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