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Title: The Italian Job Author: Charlie Parker Date: 1995 Language: en Topics: Italy, reportback, Workers Solidarity Source: Retrieved on 26th November 2021 from http://struggle.ws/ws95/italy45.html Notes: Published in Workers Solidarity No. 45 â Summer 1995.
Florence has to be one of the most beautiful cites in Italy if not in
the world. Nestled in a Tuscan valley it lies half way between Milan and
Rome. Thanks to the hospitality of some friends in the Anarchist
Movement of Florence (MAF) three members of the Workers Solidarity
Movement were recently able to visit this city. During the week we spent
there we were able to be tourists by day and meet with anarchists by
night.
On the Friday night that we were arrived in Florence the MAF organised a
meal and an informal question and answer session in their headquarters.
Apres the beautiful food and some glasses of wine we learnt more about
each othersâ activities and current situations. The questions we were
asked ranged from the Irish governmentâs current relationship with Sinn
FĂ©in to the possibilities for increased class struggle with the
cease-fire? We were also asked for our views on the Internet and the
attempts by the US government to have some control over it.
We found out about the Cobas, which is a loose umbrella group of
unofficial trade unions. They grew from broad disaffection with the
official trade unions in 1987â88, initially in the railway, education
and health sectors. In 1991 they went on to organise what by now has
become a famous one day general strike against the Gulf War. It was
fascinating to talk to someone who was involved in this movement. The
talks went on until the early hours. A great deal of thanks must go to
our tired translators on that night.
On Saturday night we were taken on a whirlwind tour of the various
social centres which exist in Florence. These Centres are all in
occupied buildings and operated by various groups with different
political agendas. The local councils have kicked out people from these
squats but they do not seem to do it with any great persistence.
The first Social Centre I visited was the âAutonomistâ, centre which had
a famous rock group playing. The gig itself was free although you were
asked to contribute some small amount of money at the door. Outside it
looked like a deserted factory with some great graffiti on the walls.
Inside you had a bar serving draught beer, a great sound system, a
separate area for art, design and street theatre props. The place was
alive with about 300 young people, loud music and about 12 dogs!
Next up we went to a house/villa on the edge of the public park which
was used by the Greens, anarchists, and people who campaign for the
rights of American Indians (as some Italian company is trying to build
an observatory over their lands). There werenât as many people here but
there was still a live rap band, a gallery displaying some interesting
art and a lot of young people simply drinking and inhaling. There were
some political books and pamphlets on display along with bootleg tapes
of concerts.
Finally, we went to a Leninist Social Centre in the south of the city.
Here a concert had just finished and hugely loud rock music was being
played by a very lively DJ. There was a bar and, as in all the Centres,
the drink was cheap. Young people sat around and shouted at each other
to be heard while one amorous couple got to know each other better. On
the walls there was the flag of Cuba, the hammer and sickle (naturally)
and posters for every anti-imperialist struggle from Palestine to
Guatemala. Upon this scene of late night/early morning revelry the
handsome features of the Che Guevara, coupled with the Blues Brothers
looked down from the walls. I wondered what Che would make of it all ?
The Social Centres were a great experience to see in operation. Coming
from a country that brings the law down on your head with furious
vengeance should you dare think of occupying unused buildings, I was
impressed at the new breath of life these places had. I can think of
many buildings in Dublin that could be used in this way. The Centres
provides a place where young people can go and not be told how to dress
or be charged exorbitant money for drink. Politics donât seem to get
debated on Saturday nights (if it gets debated at all, I cannot say).
Importantly, the Centres provide a place where you know there exists a
culture which is at least anti-authoritarian.
On Sunday we met with anarchists active in the CGIL (a major union
federation) who are in official trade union in Education. They see
getting anarchists elected as shop stewards as important in an attempt
to deal with the heavy bureaucracy which exists within the official
trade unions. They too are faced with big unions who have a leadership
completely divorced from the issues affecting the ordinary member. Their
aim is to build a rank and file movement .
So after a week of sunshine, art , culture and politics we returned to
Ireland. We were treated with great hospitality and shown warm
friendship, especially by the comrades of the MAF. I returned hopeful,
knowing that the passion for true freedom and anarchy burns not only in
some Irish hearts but also in the hearts of friends in Florence.