Actor Gundars Āboliņš Calls Protests in France and Italy an “Occupation”
Latvian actor Gundars Āboliņš said on the TV24 channel that the unrest in France and Italy is not a revolution but the subjugation of Europe. Mid-October protests in both countries turned into violent clashes in several places.
Latvian actor Gundars Āboliņš commented on the protests and disorder in France and Italy during the TV24 programme “Nedēļa. Post Scriptum”. The demonstrations in both countries turned into violent clashes in mid-October. In his view, what is happening cannot be called a revolution; he described it as an occupation. This is the actor's personal opinion, not an established fact.
What Āboliņš said
Āboliņš asked on the programme in what sense the events could be called a revolution, and claimed it was what had been warned about earlier. He called it the subjugation of Europe or Islamisation. He believes that people's participation in protests and the exercise of their rights is being used to achieve other goals. The actor voiced concern that peaceful demonstrations can grow into wider unrest, saying people take to the streets for their rights but others then exploit the process.
As an example, he cited a Palestinian woman born in Canada who, according to him, stated on television that Canada came into being through occupation and has no right to exist.
What happened in France and Italy
In France, more than half a million people took part in demonstrations on 17 October. They expressed dissatisfaction with the cost of living, high fuel prices and problems in the education system. Most of the rallies began peacefully, but in some cities there were clashes with police, looting and arson. Several public buildings were set on fire.
In Italy, protests and disorder affected several cities on 17 and 18 October, including Milan, Turin and Bologna. In Milan, protesters threw stones and other objects at police officers, set rubbish bins on fire and vandalised shops. Police used water cannon to disperse the crowd, and dozens of people were detained. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence while acknowledging people's right to express discontent in the streets.
The full programme was broadcast on TV24 on the evening of 23 October at 21:03.
