Our cities are deserted at night due to the lockdown in the red and orange areas and the curfew in the yellow ones. This gives the green light to the crimes. There has been an increase in thefts and robberies but not only, as shown by the case of Marghera, where a statue of the Madonna in piazzale Giovannacci. The area is manned by surveillance cameras and for the police it was not difficult to identify the person responsible, a 31-year-old Palestinian with a document certifying his status as a refugee issued by Belgium.
The events took place in the middle of the night, when Marghera immersed in the silence of the curfew. The statue was beheaded and her hands were cut off, a gesture that for some has the flavor of a scar on the civil and religious community of the city. “A gesture that offends our city, our history and our values“, commented the mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro. The gesture could not go unnoticed and so the competent authorities immediately went in search of the author of the gesture. The mayor’s regret is great but there is the will to repair as soon as possible to damage.
It will take some time for the statue to return to its place in its entirety: “I immediately gave instructions to the Public Works technicians so that the statue is promptly repaired and restored to its splendor. I thank the police officers who promptly intervened“The community was deeply shaken by such a cowardly act and there was no lack of reactions from the political world.
One of the first to speak was Giorgia Meloni, with words of firm condemnation: “What happened in Marghera (Venice) is an outrage to our identity. For the responsible, a 31-year-old Palestinian, hard punch and exemplary condemnation. We cannot tolerate such an affront to Italy and its history“. Matteo Salvini shares Giorgia Meloni’s hard line:”Here is the beautiful Christmas present from those who hate us. Author of this disgusting havoc a Palestinian “holder of a refugee travel document issued by Belgium”! For certain offenders, neither red zones, nor travel bans … I hope there is a judge who will make them pay dearly. A hug of solidarity to the mayor of Venice Luigi Brugnaro and to the whole community of Marghera.“
Alex Bazzaro (Lega), also stigmatized the incident: “Sorrow is accompanied by concern: not only has this Palestinian damaged a monument of our community but he has desecrated a Christian symbol. Unfortunately, we are faced with yet another vandalism that defiles a cult object“. The city councilor of Venice and deputy of the Carroccio concludes:”We cannot disrespect religious symbols, whatever they are and whatever our beliefs and our values of reference. It is unacceptable. I would have the head and hands of the damaged statue repaired to this fool as a sign of respect and integration since he has chosen to live in our country“.
–
