A draft version of the new law previously banned unauthorised gatherings of more than 50 people. This was slammed by activists for infringing on protest rights and the freedom of expression, and no longer forms part of the legislation.
The law was triggered last month by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's new right-wing government after the authorities were ordered to shut down a Halloween rave in Modena. They seized sound system equipment valued at €150,000 and 14 people were placed under investigation by the prosecutor's office.
Speaking to
RA, Nicolò Bussolati, a lawyer representing eight of the 14 people, said he's reclaimed equipment valued at between £80-100,000 on behalf of his clients. He said trials will soon commence for those under investigation.
Other sound system crew members are being represented by lawyer Elia de Caro, who told
RA he's currently awaiting the result of his appeal to reclaim his clients' equipment.
Bussolati, who joined the protest in Turin, said the new legislation will punish those occupying empty buildings to host parties with a maximum penalty of six years in prison, making it "a serious crime."
He believes this type of legislation will generate a public impression that rave parties are a "big problem" for society. "We have had raves for 30 years but no one really cared until media attention was given."
He added: "We'll continue to fight these repressive laws, ensure a fair trial for our clients and defend the right to party–even in unconventional ways–which we believe should not be (over) criminalised [...] alternative ways of expressing ourselves are beneficial to society. Repression will impoverish our cultures, leaving nothing but 'ghost towns.'"
According to another anonymous member of the #smashrepression movement, more protests are planned for 2023.
"Our network is growing–already there was around 50,000 people on the streets on Saturday," they told
RA. "So we will let our government know that this isn't just about raves, but about repression of our rights. We know how we can continue to demonstrate. We're gonna be their nightmare."
To help raise funds for the affected sound systems, UK free party crew Spiral Tribe is re-releasing the
Forward The Revolution EP. All proceeds will go to legal aid group
Le Fonds de Soutien Juridique des Sons (FSJS) and other organisations defending sound systems.
Watch a video from the Naples protest, posted by local activist Adriano. We'll report more on this story as it unfolds.
Photos: Robi Fog, Niccolò Bussolati, Santano Viperillo
Video: Adriano
A draft version of the new law previously banned unauthorised gatherings of more than 50 people. This was slammed by activists for infringing on protest rights and the freedom of expression, and no longer forms part of the legislation. The law was triggered last month by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's new right-wing government after the authorities were ordered to shut down a Halloween rave in Modena. They seized sound system equipment valued at €150,000 and 14 people were placed under investigation by the prosecutor's office. Speaking to RA, Nicolò Bussolati, a lawyer representing eight of the 14 people, said he's reclaimed equipment valued at between £80-100,000 on behalf of his clients. He said trials will soon commence for those under investigation. Other sound system crew members are being represented by lawyer Elia de Caro, who told RA he's currently awaiting the result of his appeal to reclaim his clients' equipment. Bussolati, who joined the protest in Turin, said the new legislation will punish those occupying empty buildings to host parties with a maximum penalty of six years in prison, making it "a serious crime." He believes this type of legislation will generate a public impression that rave parties are a "big problem" for society. "We have had raves for 30 years but no one really cared until media attention was given." He added: "We'll continue to fight these repressive laws, ensure a fair trial for our clients and defend the right to party–even in unconventional ways–which we believe should not be (over) criminalised [...] alternative ways of expressing ourselves are beneficial to society. Repression will impoverish our cultures, leaving nothing but 'ghost towns.'" According to another anonymous member of the #smashrepression movement, more protests are planned for 2023. "Our network is growing–already there was around 50,000 people on the streets on Saturday," they told RA. "So we will let our government know that this isn't just about raves, but about repression of our rights. We know how we can continue to demonstrate. We're gonna be their nightmare." To help raise funds for the affected sound systems, UK free party crew Spiral Tribe is re-releasing the Forward The Revolution EP. All proceeds will go to legal aid group Le Fonds de Soutien Juridique des Sons (FSJS) and other organisations defending sound systems. Watch a video from the Naples protest, posted by local activist Adriano. We'll report more on this story as it unfolds.
Photos: Robi Fog, Niccolò Bussolati, Santano Viperillo Video: Adriano