Pro-Palestinian march in Venice draws 5,000 protesters during film festival

 

The protest, which coincided with the Venice Film Festival, drew participants from across the North-East of Italy. Among the demonstrators were several high-profile artists and public figures, including actress and opening night host Emanuela Fanelli, actor Michele Riondino, actress Valentina Bellè, filmmaker Carolina Cavalli, actress Tecla Insolia, graphic novelist Zerocalcare, actor Roberto Zibetti (appearing in Paolo Sorrentino’s La Grazia), actress Donatella Finocchiaro, director Laura Poitras, and actress Ottavia Piccolo.

 

Organised by local social collectives and the Venice-based ANPI 7 Martiri (the National Association of Italian Partisans), the march began at Piazzale Santa Maria Elisabetta and proceeded through key areas surrounding the film festival’s main venues, which were under heightened security due to the Biennale.

 

Protesters marched behind a banner reading: “Stop Genocide – Free Palestine from the River to the Sea”, before returning to their starting point. An additional 700 supporters reportedly joined the demonstration after disembarking from a ship arriving from the nearby port of Marghera.

 

Speaking on behalf of the organising committee Venice4Palestine, Martina Vergnano said: “These voices are united in calling for an end to the genocide and to denounce the complicity of the international community. The US response to Israel’s declared intention to launch a ground invasion of Gaza speaks volumes — as does the stance of our own government.”

 

Vergnano also criticised Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying: “She claims she doesn't chant slogans but saves children. Yet Italy continues to sell weapons to Israel, weapons that are then used against the Palestinian people.”

 

PS