ROME – Crying to “freedom, freedom”: the people of “Io Apro”, the movement born on socials to protest against anti-Covid restrictions, took to the streets in Rome today. Many fewer, however, the participants compared to previous demonstrations that had seen the presence of thousands of people.  The protest against the Green Pass began with tensions against journalists: an operator was pushed by one of the demonstrators, fortunately without being injured. “We of the TVs can’t take it anymore” the protesters then shouted from the square. “Green Pass like apartheid”, “freedom above all” were some of the posters on display.

Choirs also against the government and the parties. “Salvini you betrayed us,” read a billboard, probably in reference to the fact that the leader of the Lega has just been vaccinated. Or perhaps because he supports the Draghi government together with the Democratic Party.

Lots of people without masks. Italian flags, photos “to testify to the people present in the square because the media will never show it”. For many protesters, “the politicians suck, they want to ruin this country”. No Green Pass!” shouted those present and, among other choirs, also “terrorist journalists “and “Draghi vaffan …”. Attacks on virologists too.

Two different groups demonstrated today in Rome against the Green Pass. One was precisely ‘Io Apro’, promoter of the protest. The other was the far-right Forza Nuova movement, which is always part of these “popular” demonstrations.

“We are against the Green Pass but in favor of the vaccine”, underlined the leaders of ‘Io Apro’. “I close the restaurants and let the government support me. The state is dividing us”. “We are the last barrier to the dictatorship. When the law becomes injustice, resistance becomes a duty. Hands off the children”, the promoters of the demonstration also shouted. “The bat and the pangolin have nothing to do with it. Covid was lowered from above. It never happens again,” they added.

“We are there and we will be there: we will be close to all the workers who will lose their jobs due to a government that has been sold and has established a health dictatorship, long live freedom”, then continued the protest organizers. “In bars, restaurants, in all clubs we will let our customers in because they are people we have known for years and we will not ask them if they have the green pass. Time to take to the streets and react”.

The leaders of the demonstration then moved from Piazza del Popolo, where the demonstration had begun, towards the steps in Piazza di Spagna trying to convince the police to let them pass to get to Montecitorio. “You are defending killers”, they shouted to the police.

Moments of tension on the steps of Trinità dei Monti, when a woman tried to cross the police cordon. Many protests and screams. “Sold”, “Hands off a woman”, they shouted. Some protesters have threatened a kidnapping report.

“We are not against the vaccine – the leaders of ‘Io Apro’ have repeatedly reiterated – but against the restriction of freedom. The Green Pass does not protect, because even those who have made the vaccine can infect it, therefore it is not understood. the underlying sense, if not the restrictive one, of personal freedom”, underlined the organizers. “The purpose of the demonstration is not to go against those who intend to get vaccinated, but to pass the clear message to the government that it is not possible to brand or certify people”.

“We are in the middle of a war. Let’s say no to the Green Pass” read another of the signs displayed. “We took to the streets to defend our freedom, for the future of our children,” said a demonstrator. “We are free citizens who want to take back the life of two years ago – said Umberto Carriera, national secretary of ‘Io Apro’, a movement to which many Italian restaurateurs also join -, the Green Pass is not the solution, it will not solve the epidemic. we are respecting them. We don’t want to be controllers”. And another protester added: “Now they want us to be green pass sheriffs. We can’t.”

In the pics, the “Io Apro” protesters in Rome (photo taken from the Facebook profile of “Io Apro” movement)