Northern League holds anti-immigration, anti-EU rally in Rome
The leader of Italy's Northern League party Matteo Salvini has led a mass anti-immigration, anti-EU rally in Italy’s capital Rome as a counter-rally was held nearby.
Thousands of Salvini’s supporters filled Piazza del Popolo in the capital on Saturday, while some 3,000 police forces blocked streets leading to the large square in order to separate them from counter demonstrators.
"I do not make the distinction between the right and left, the struggle between fascists and communists belongs to the history books. We differentiate between those who work and parasites, and defend those who work," Salvini told crowds during the rally.
The demonstration’s slogan was “Renzi go home", with Salvini challenging Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
While addressing his supporters, Salvini referred to Renzi as the "foolish servant" of Brussels, which "wants to control the lives of all of you."
According to the rally’s organizers, 10,000 people had attended the rally, however the number has not been confirmed by Italian police.
The counter rally was held a few hundred meters away from Salvini’s demonstration with, according to its organizers, almost 35,000 attendants some brandishing banners reading "Never with Salvini."
Salvini hopes to gain ground in the regional elections, slated for early 2015, in Italy’s Tuscany, Marche, and Latium regions.
"Our main objective can be summed up in three points: no to the euro, retrieve monetary sovereignty, stop immigration. There is no more room for anyone else with the unemployment rates we have today. And finally, Italians first," he said.
SRK/NT/AS
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