A local politician in Trentino has drawn a direct line between people who protested COVID-19 restrictions and those expected at an upcoming neo-Nazi gathering, according to il Dolomiti.
The councillor, a member of the Brothers of Italy party, said the people who opposed the green pass and refused what he called an experimental vaccine are the same individuals who will attend the rally. He made the remarks as authorities in the region prepare for the event, which has been approved by a local security committee, Rai News reported.
The gathering is set to take place in Pietramurata, a small town in Trentino that has pushed back against hosting it, according to Il Post. The local security committee has given the go-ahead but banned racist slogans at the event, Rai News said.
The councillor's comments have added to tensions around the rally. A regional representative of the far-right Futuro Nazionale party said he postponed his vacation to attend, while politician Roberto Vannacci said everyone is free to go where they want, according to Corriere del Trentino.
The municipality of Trento has issued an appeal for peaceful and democratic mobilization in response to the planned gathering, according to a statement from the city government.
The rally has drawn scrutiny because of its location in a small community that does not want to host it, and because of the political fallout from the councillor's comparison between COVID-era protesters and neo-Nazis.
Watch for how local authorities handle the event on the day, and whether the security committee's ban on racist slogans is enforced.
