ROME (AP) – The Italian city where a man with a neo-Nazi background shot and wounded six Africans is bracing for the possibility of violence around an anti-fascist protest march.
Schools in the city of Macerata were ordered closed on Saturday, while public transportation was halted for the afternoon protest.
City officials took the actions because of fears that far-right extremists might clash with the marchers converging on Macerata.
A moment of the clashes between police and supporters of the Italian extreme right movement “Forza Nuova” (New Force) in Macerata, Italy, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018. Forza Nuova staged the unauthorized demonstration to protest illegal immigration in the city where a right-wing extremist shot and wounded six African immigrants last Saturday. Police say the suspect claims to have been acting out of revenge after a Nigerian immigrant was accused of dismembering an 18-year-old teen whose remains were found three days earlier. The shooting drew widespread, but not universal, condemnation. (Fabio Falcioni/ANSA via AP)
The suspected Italian gunman, Luca Traini, was arrested for the Feb. 3 drive-by shootings. The 28-year-old Traini was once an unsuccessful local candidate for Italy’s anti-migrant Northern League.
The shootings came days after an African man was arrested in the slaying of an 18-year-old local woman whose dismembered body was found in suitcases. Several Nigerians, including a drug dealer, are under investigation.
In this Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018 photo, protesters clash with police during an Italian extreme right movement “Forza Nuova” (New Force) demonstration in Macerata, Italy. Forza Nuova staged the unauthorized demonstration against illegal immigration in the city where a right-wing extremist shot and wounded six African immigrants last Saturday. At center Roberto Fiore, national secretary of Forza Nuova. (Fabio Falcioni/ANSA via AP)
A picture showing a man identified by the Italian Carabinieri, paramilitary police, as Luca Traini, who is accused of having shot with a firearm to several people in Macerata, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018. Racist and anti-Semitic expressions have been growing more bold, widespread and violent in Italy. Anti-migrant rhetoric is playing an unprecedented role in shaping the campaign for the March 4 national elections, and many say that is worsening tensions and even encouraging violence. (ANSA via AP)
Italian Paramedics a wounded man after a shooting broke out in Macerata, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018. Racist and anti-Semitic expressions have been growing more bold, widespread and violent in Italy. Anti-migrant rhetoric is playing an unprecedented role in shaping the campaign for the March 4 national elections, and many say that is worsening tensions and even encouraging violence. (Guido Picchio/ANSA via AP)
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