Two squares for freedom
Brief but not trivial, discussed collectively line by line, the flyer for the national demonstration on January 14th in Milan is ready. The title "Women's Freedom at the Origin of Life" signals that it will not be a demonstration "only" in defense of Law 194, under attack from the right and the ecclesiastical hierarchy. Those unrestrained and offensive attacks have sparked a wave of outrage, starting with the massive assembly of Milanese women on November 29th, which will culminate in the national demonstration. But from the very beginning, in the meetings held in one hundred cities, and in the emails sent to the website www.usciamodalsilenzio.org, it was clear that the thread of abortion carries much more. Women know well that Law 194, although the result of political mediation, deserves to be defended: it works and has dramatically reduced abortions. Likewise, women's health clinics must be defended, even if reduced to a bare minimum by public spending cuts: they must not become places for intimidating raids by deterrents and guardians of morality. This is what the first point of the flyer says.
The second broadens the scope. "We are convinced that the birth of a new life speaks to the relationship between the sexes and male responsibility in reproduction and sexuality. We don't want solidarity from men, but rather recognition that they are involved. Anyone who claims the right to impose an unwanted pregnancy through prohibitions, assistance, and controls considers women a social category with limited power." The invitation to men to be "involved" requires more than simply being physically present at a march that will not be "separated." Another difference, compared to the feminist movement of the 1970s, is the encounter between women of different generations.
The third point of the flyer throws a bridge with "Tutti in Pacs", another national demonstration that will be held on January 14th in Rome, organized by the LGBT movement. Two squares—Farnese in Rome, Duomo in Milan—linked by "a single horizon of freedom," which includes the principle of the secular nature of the state. "A bridge that is more than symbolic," he comments. Franco Grillini, honorary president of Arcigay: women's choice to have or not have children and civil unions between people of any gender pertain to the same sphere: that of freedom. Furthermore, both groups will ask the center-left for pre-election commitments. 'Unione has included "civil unions" in its platform (the word PACS being too compromising). On Law 194, women are urging the center-left to be less subservient. And, above all, they demand that women's voices be included on the political agenda. They have never stopped speaking out, even if they return to the streets with the slogan "Let's break the silence" (which, in fact, some women don't like). The point is that they aren't being listened to.
The connection between the two demonstrations will be underscored by joint press conferences and cross-party speeches from the stages. Nothing prevents demonstrations in Milan for civil unions and in Rome for women's freedom, or, more realistically, for both.
The flyer summarized above outlines the reasons for the Milan demonstration. Every city, every women's association, or group is obviously free to produce what it chooses. "Women on Sale" is the title of the flyer from a small group of young, precarious workers in Milan. "In our circumstances, it's impossible to plan for pregnancy, without risking losing our jobs," says Fiorella Mattio, a self-employed worker registered in the University archives. She's pleased that the "official" flyer addresses the theme her generation holds dear, writing: "We don't want precarious employment to become the contraceptive of the future.".
How many will there be? No one is making any predictions. But the signs are good, says Cristina Pecchioli, press officer for the Lombardy CGIL (Italian General Confederation of Labour), who has offered valuable logistical support for a demonstration that remains self-organized. A special train will depart from Bologna, while the one from Rome is still uncertain. Then there will be numerous buses. In addition to the website, there is a telephone number for information: 335-8778529.
