Bologna Massacre, Meloni: "The whole of Italy once again stands with the city of Bologna and the families of the victims"

Bologna Massacre, Meloni: "The whole of Italy once again stands with the city of Bologna and the families of the victims"

On August 2, 1980, Bologna station was the scene of a devastating massacre that left an indelible mark on the history of the Italian Republic. The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, underlined how this tragic event represents an irreparable wound and a warning for the younger generations, reiterating the importance of memory as a civic duty and as a tool for preserve constitutional values ​​attacked by terrorist violence. Mattarella expressed ssolidarity with the families of the victims and highlighted the need to transmit the democratic values ​​that have allowed Italy to recover and protect the common good.

“The Bologna massacre is one of the most dramatic events in national history. On August 2, 1980, terrorism, which the sentences attribute to exponents of neo-fascist organizations, struck the Nation with all its ferocity and 44 years after that terrible attack, the whole of Italy once again stands together with the city of Bologna and the families of the victims”: declares the Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“We unite – Meloni continues – to their pain and their request for justice. Furthermore, thanks go to them for the tenacity and determination they put at the service of the search for the truth. Getting to the truth about the massacres that bloodied Italy in the post-war period also involves the work that this Government, together with all the State Administrations and in the wake of previous Governments, is carrying out with the payment of the declassified documents to the Central State Archives . At the same time, I am deeply and personally struck by the unjustified and outsized attacks that have been aimed, on this day of commemoration, at myself and at the Government".

“To argue that the "roots of that attack today fully figure in the right-wing government", or that the justice reform launched by this government is inspired by the projects of the P2 Masonic lodge, is very serious. And it is dangerous, also for the personal safety of those who, democratically elected by the citizens, only try to do their best for the good of this nation" declares Meloni

"I believe that - concludes the Prime Minister – in this climate of growing hatred, words and gestures are getting out of hand even for the most astute people. I appeal to everyone to return to a framework of normal dialectics in what, thanks to the sacrifices of many, is now a solid and mature democracy".

The Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, declared that the Bologna massacre was a neo-fascist act aimed at attacking the State and ordinary citizens. Piantedosi reiterated the government's commitment to keeping the memory of the attack alive, underlining the importance of defend the values ​​of freedom and democracy on a daily basis to counter every form of hatred and intolerance.

The President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa, underlined the importance of continuing with the declassification of the documents of the parliamentary commissions of inquiry to shed light on the dark sides of the past and bring justice to the victims of terrorism. Also the President of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, participated in the commemoration, reiterating that justice is the only way to heal memory and prevent pain from turning into hatred and revenge. Zuppi recalled other massacres such as that of the Italicus and of San Benedetto Val di Sambro, underlining that, unlike Bologna, these did not receive the same level of justice and attention, increasing the suffering of the victims' families.

The commemoration of 2 August 1980 represents a crucial moment to reflect on the importance of memory, justice and the defense of democratic values ​​against all forms of totalitarianism and intolerance.