Italy Backs Citizens Patrols, Despite Fascist Past
Antonella Cinelli and Roberto Bonzio, Reuters, June 14, 2009
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Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi’s government, elected last year on a promise to crack down on crime and curb illegal immigration, has agreed with its Northern League allies a plan for [citizen] patrols to help police and soldiers on the streets.
The proposal, which still needs parliamentary approval, is opposed by Italy’s left-wing opposition and by civil rights groups, who fear it could lead to racial discrimination and violence.
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One volunteer group, the Italian National Guard, unveiled its proposal to participate in the patrols in Milan on Saturday, sporting beige uniforms and black military-style hats.
Judicial sources said that a prosecutor had opened an investigation into the group, which has links to the neo-fascist Italian Social Movement (MSI) formed by former Mussolini supporters.
The sources said the prosecutor could present charges in the coming days of attempting to resurrect the fascist party.
