Attacked tourists, assaults, degenerate parties: pictures that are certainly not expected in the popular holiday resorts on Italy’s Lake Garda are currently circulating on social networks. About 1,500 young people have met via TikTok to “take back” the town of Peschiera del Garda. The riots promptly sparked a debate in Italy over failed integration.
“We have come to recapture Peschiera”, the young people shouted at the beginning of June on the national holiday “Republic Day” in the actually very attractive holiday resort on Lake Garda.
Many of them would have traveled there by train from Milan, Brescia and Bergamo – most of them would be from North Africa and be between 16 and 20 years old. However, eyewitnesses also report very young people between the ages of twelve and fourteen.
“Experience War Day”
Loud cries like “This is Africa” were heard over and over, and they waved flags of various African countries. But it didn’t stop there: the party got out of hand and the young people under the influence of alcohol started blocking streets, jumping on cars, attacking tourists, destroying chairs and tables and breaking shop windows. Several injuries resulted from fights and stabbings.
The summoned police were greeted with rocks and bottles thrown. “We have experienced a day of war,” Mayor Orietta Gaiulli told the Corriere della Sera. The crowd only dispersed after a few hours.
“I burst into tears”
The Italian daily “La Repubblica” reported on at least five 16- and 17-year-old women who were allegedly sexually assaulted on a train returning from Gardaland amusement park.
“It was crowded, it was very hot. We were supposed to get out, but they stopped us by sounding the alarm. We walked through several cars and on the way they hit us everywhere,” says one of the victims: “I burst into tears and had a panic attack.”
‘White women have no business here’
Italian media cite from police investigation files that the youths shouted that “white women had no business here” – the sexual assaults started shortly after. Afterwards, ten other women came forward.
The incidents are now keeping the authorities busy: with the help of testimonies, police in Verona and Milan have already been able to reconstruct how the riots started: About 30 men accused of sexual assault and suspected racist insults are currently under investigation.
Salvini wants to tighten criminal law
Meanwhile, a heated debate is flaring up in Italy about the lack of integration. This is fueled by the recently pressured former Interior Minister and party leader of the right-wing National Lega, Matteo Salvini. He advocates a reform of juvenile criminal law with the aim of making young people over the age of 15 fully criminally liable.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
