Anti-fascist demonstrators clash with police in Italy
Anti-fascist demonstrators have clashed with police in the northern Italian city of Turin as another night of violence has erupted in the waning days of Italy's divisive election campaign.
Police fired water cannons Thursday night against the demonstrators, who were marching as the far-right CasaPound party was meeting in Turin.
In recent days anti-fascist activists have been blamed for beating up a leader of the right-wing Forza Nuova party, while the most violent incident occurred earlier this month when an Italian right-winger wounded six Africans in a drive-by shooting. He said he was avenging the murder of an 18-year-old Italian woman allegedly killed by Nigerian migrants.
On Thursday, Premier Paolo Gentiloni expressed full confidence that police could contain the spasm of vandalism and violence that has marked the final days of the campaign leading up to March 4 elections. Polls indicate a center-right coalition, which includes right-wing, anti-immigrant and nationalist parties could win.
A major anti-fascist rally is planned for Saturday in Rome.
