Mayor Matteo Lepore says August 2 Bologna rally unrelated to 1980 Pilastro incident

Mayor Matteo Lepore of Bologna confirmed that the civic rally scheduled for 2 August in Piazza Maggiore is intended to honour the city’s democratic tradition and the memory of recent victims, including Abderrahim Fakir, who was killed on 19 July. Lepore emphasized that the event has no connection to the 1980 Pilastro incident, rejecting attempts to link the two. He warned that anyone who conflates the gatherings could face legal action and instructed police to prevent slogans or banners that might create confusion.

The rally, described by Lepore as a historic “corteo” marking 46 years since the last similar gathering, aims to showcase peaceful civic participation and solidarity without political manipulation.