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In Italy, "sardines" as new opposition
Social networks in the cities, a new and funny anti-Salvini movement, called " sardines ", spreads in tight benches all over the peninsula. His goal: to awaken the Italians by opposing nationalism and populism, with irony.
In less than two weeks of life, " sardines " already have tens of thousands of followers on their Facebook page. All ready to fill the country's places to defend the values of democracy. The next meetings of the " sardines ", are scheduled this Saturday night in Modena and tomorrow in Rimini, Emilia-Romagna.
It is a movement founded by four young people under 35 who live in Bologna, the capital of the region of Emilia-Romagna. Indignant by the hateful campaign speeches of Matteo Salvini, who hopes to take this region to the Democratic Party, in the elections of January 26, they decided that it was necessary to mobilize like sardines: in tight benches on the squares. The " sardines " are all the more reactive as Emilia-Romagna, a great symbol of resistance, has been a stronghold of the left for more than 50 years. The tam-tam on social networks worked perfectly. It brought together nearly 15,000 people at the first demonstration in Bologna on November 14, the day the head of the League came to support Lucia Bongorzoni, candidate right and right-wing parties, at the post Governor of Emilia-Romagna.
The " sardines ", a political orientation still fuzzy
The " sardines " are oriented left but without reference party. The slogans of the movement are " no political symbols, no insults ". All the cardboard signs and colorful banners, brandished with irony on the squares, are in the effigy of sardines. And the anthem of assembly is Bella Ciao , the song of anti-fascist partisans during the Second World War. The " sardines " have the ambition to establish themselves as a peaceful collective, to protect Italy from authoritarian, racist, anti-Semitic excesses ...
A very fast spread
Obviously, the impact of social networks is fundamental. But what particularly attracts very diverse people - from students to retirees, to nuns - is the spontaneity of " sardines ". We can not compare this movement to that of the Five Stars, founded by comedian Beppe Grillo. On the other hand, it has certain similarities with the " girontondi ". The rounds of democracy, created in 2002 by intellectuals of the left, like the filmmaker Nanni Moretti, to fight against Berlusconism. " Sardines " express the need for part of civil society to find antibodies to nationalism and populism. But watch out for the big fish that eat the shoals of sardines! The League of " predator " Salvini remains at the top of the polls, with 32% of voting intentions.
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