FN militant attacks youth over Lucano

(ANSA) - Rome, May 13 - 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 was expected to be trouble if the FN march met that of a group of antifascists, but police kept them apart.
    At Lucan's lecture, the university lecture room was full to the brim, and some students sang the partisan anthem Bella Ciao.
    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".