PAME expresses its solidarity with the USB firefighter unionists in Italy, who are facing disciplinary prosecution by the Ministry of the Interior because they went on strike and demonstrated against the genocide of the Palestinian people by the murderous state of Israel.
The demand that they should not demonstrate in uniform, that is, that it should not be visible who they are and why they are demonstrating for, is directly linked to the plans of the Italian government for the reorganization and militarization of the Fire Brigade. At the same time, funds are being cut from the state budget that could strengthen its role in protecting the people’s property and the natural environment.
The persecution of unionists in Italy is part of a generalized escalation of state repression, as a result of the war economy and the sharpening of imperialist antagonisms between USA–NATO–EU and China and Russia. As long as states and governments serve the profits of monopolies, spend billions on armaments and imperialist wars instead of on people’s needs, they will intensify repression and terror against the people’s struggles in order to impose a graveyard silence.
Recent examples include the persecution of unionists in Greece and France for mobilizations in solidarity with Palestine, as well as the prosecution of newly enlisted soldiers in Greece because they participated in demonstrations of solidarity with the struggle of farmers.
The attack on the USB firefighter unionists is an attack on every worker who dares to raise their head. It exposes the real objective, the criminalization of organized action and of internationalist solidarity, which is the only real way out against the policies of governments and the EU and against the murderous NATO machine that creates wars, poverty, and suffering for the peoples.
Hands off unions and unionists – Stop now all persecutions against the USB firefighter unionists
No involvement in the imperialist wars of NATO – EU – USA
No cooperation with the murderous state of Israel – Freedom for Palestine