A member of the security of “Territorio Libero” / TL3 with his face hidden, as he talks with an Italian policeman during the demonstration of February 8th, 2015.
Sunday, February 8th, was an unusual day for the cause of the Free Territory of Trieste: two events to defend its the international Free Port.
In the morning, there was an assembly organized by many otherwise different organizations (The Free Trieste Movement, Bewegung Freies Triest – Österreich, Fronte per l’Indipendenza, Coordinamento Lavoratori Portuali, Comitato per l’autonomia giuliana). In the afternoon there was another event, organized by Movement “Territorio Libero” or “TL3”.
On December 20th, 2014, the Italian Government approved the removal of the Northern Free Port from State Property. In other words, it approved the port area’s dismissal. The Northern Free Port (which they call “porto vecchio” as in “old port” because old = useless) is going to lose its free zones to become an urban area.
The southern sector is to be downgraded to fuel-only port: the upcoming LNG terminal, together with the oil terminal, would put an end to all kind of maritime trade.
Precious trades that, after Trieste’s dismissal, would be diverted to the Italian peninsula’s own ports. Including the Southern Italian ports, which are under the strict control of mafia-like organized crime.
The local system of corruption, strictly connected with Italy, is so powerful that this devastating plan to annihilate Trieste’s port was approved. The Italian Parliament didn’t oppose. This decision is against the 1947 Treaty of Peace, and of the Italian laws that ratify and implement it.
Indeed, the 1947 Peace Treaty rules the international Free Port be a State Corporation to the Free Territory of Trieste. A State that the Italian Government is in charge of administering since 1954. Administration does not mean sovereignty.
This is why February 8th was so important: to show an unanimous reaction of the pro-independence Movements and of the citizens standing together in defense of the international Free Port of Trieste.
Yet, all hopes for a joint action and aim, even just for the sake of the port that justifies Trieste’s existence, were shattered. And this alone damages the common cause.
TL3 refused to participate to the morning assembly. Indeed, TL3 consists of people who left Free Trieste. Even, their leaders vetoed Free Trieste’s participation to the march in the afternoon. Irresponsible to say the least.
Still, I went anyways, and in spite of the intimidations and threats of TL3 activists (things like “if he comes, he ends up at the hospital”). All because I am Free Trieste’s President.
I kept hoping those people had at least a little bit of responsibility, if not for their own sake, at least for the community they claim to protect. How wrong I was.
In the morning, TL3 activists lured spreading brochures about their afternoon event, and nobody stopped them. But in the afternoon, when Free Trieste’s delegates actually went to the demonstration, they were “greeted” with intimidations from TL3’s security. They wouldn’t let us display Free Trieste’s banner. Here is a video account, with English subtitles.
The demonstration, attended by about 500 citizens, ended with a speech of TL3 president Vito Potenza. He attacked Free Trieste, claiming “it does not exist” and inviting people to stay away from the political group he has “ostracized”.
After such aggressive statements, the dockers refused to talk. The Port should have been the only topic. Instead, the rally became a pathetic excuse for an electoral campaign, an anti-democratic one, as whoever disagrees with Potenza & co. must be “cancelled”.
Because movement “Territorio Libero” / TL3, disrespecting its own name, doesn’t even hide its ambition: running in the 2016 administrative election. Seizing the city with their own mayor, recognizing Italian sovereignty over Trieste. Or joining the local lobby that simulates it.
And who would make a finest candidate than Vito Potenza, boss of the black jackets who claim to be the “sicurezza Trieste Libera” (Security of Free Trieste), taking advantage of the name of a Movement they claim no longer exist? The ones who wants to take control of Trieste to dictate own laws, which most certainly have noting to do with legality?
We most certainly won’t surrender to such intimidations. Those people have nothing to do with the democratic State we stand for.
Translated from blog “Ambiente e Legalità” – “Environment and Legality” by Roberto Giurastante