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The main cities of the country registered mobilizations against the Green Pass, a health document that, as of this October 15, must be presented at the workplace in order to avoid suspensions or fines. The document is proof that the person is vaccinated against the coronavirus, has tested negative for the pathogen or has overcome the contagion.
Thousands of people in Italy demonstrated this Friday, October 15, in the streets of Rome against the Green Pass or health pass, which became mandatory from now on to have access to the workplace in the public and private sectors.
It is a certificate that proves that the person has been vaccinated against Covid-19, tested negative for the virus or that they have overcome the disease in the last six months.
The document was already mandatory to access any type of activity inside a public space, such as cinemas, theaters or long-distance trains. However, many have erupted in anger now that it must be featured in their papers.
For the protesters, it is about restricting the freedoms of the population, or even an attempt to circumvent the Italian Constitution. The Green Pass as a requirement at work has sparked heated debate and opposition in Rome and other cities where demonstrations were also recorded.
For now, nothing can be done against the measure. In September, Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s cabinet approved the rule, considered one of the strictest in the world, and which allows people who try to go to work without presenting a health pass to be suspended without pay. They can even face fines of up to $ 1,730.
The tough measure has the approval of the parties that support Draghi’s “National Unity” coalition, with the exception of the far-right Brothers of Italy party.
From politicians to waiters they must present the Green Pass
Although the vaccination rate in Italy is among the highest in Europe and the latest resurgence of Covid-19, driven by the Delta variant, has been kept under control, the Government insists that more must be done to control the pandemic, in the case of the Green Pass.
No one is exempt from the measure in the public and private sector: the health pass applies both to politicians and to employees of shops or restaurants.
During the demonstrations this Friday in Rome, some women handed roses to the police present to show that their demonstration was peaceful. “We are not here to do violence or anything like that, we are here because they are taking away our rights and we can no longer even go to work,” said Elena Campisi, a Roman protester.
At first, the demonstration in the Italian capital aroused the concern of the authorities, after last Saturday the city was plunged into chaos by a march by anti-vaccine groups in which neo-fascists infiltrated, causing violent clashes.
Trieste chiama, Genova risponde. Lavoratori del porto e cittadini contro l’obbligo del passaporto sanitary bloccano l’access to porto di Genova and occupy the strada. Traffic paralyzed. pic.twitter.com/fvwzZ5RlAw
– RadioGenova (@RadioGenova) October 15, 2021
In Trieste, in the northeast of the country, demonstrations took place in the main port of the city. About 6,000 people came out with banners and chanted slogans against the government.
“The Green Pass is a bad thing, it is discrimination under the law. Nothing more. It is not a health rule, it is just a political movement to create division between people, ”said Fabio Bocin, a protester from Trieste.
Other smaller protests also took place in Florence, Genoa, Turin, Bologna, Palermo, Ancona, and Civitavecchia.
Before the street marches took place, the Italian Government hoped that those who did not want to be vaccinated would do so with the imposition of the Green Pass. But, with more than 80% of those over 12 years of age already fully inoculated, in a country with almost 60 million inhabitants and low infection rates, the goal has not yet been reached.
With Reuters, AP and EFE
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