In Italy you can now “heila” as much as you want.
Performing the salute is only a crime if it endangers public order or risks leading to a revival of Benito Mussolini’s banned fascist party, writes The Guardian.
The Supreme Court’s decision, which came on Friday, has provoked strong reactions in the country. The neo-fascists praise it – and the opposition strongly questions it.
The neo-fascists: “Historic victory”
As recently as January 7, a demonstration was held in Rome to honor the memory of three neo-fascists who were murdered by left-wing extremists in 1978. Around a hundred men dressed in black gathered to perform the salute in unison.
Despite the fact that many Italians experienced the “healing” crowd as threatening and offensive, the police chose not to intervene. This has been met with strong protests from the centre-left opposition, who are now demanding that the government ban all neo-fascist groups in the country.
Behind the demonstration is the neo-fascist organization Casapound, which is notorious for its violent extremism. They hail the Supreme Court’s decision and call it a “historic victory”.