Never Forget the Day They Broke Us Forever: G8 Genoa 2001

The year 2001 marked a turning point in history, an event that forever altered the fabric of democracy, decency, and freedom of speech in Europe. The G8 summit held in Genoa became a symbol of violence and oppression, as the hopes of many generations fighting for justice and human rights were shattered. From that moment on, the world felt like a scarier place, where demanding a better future was frowned upon, and the pursuit of a fair world became an act of terrorism in the eyes of those in power.

As the destructive forces of wild globalisation ravaged our planet, voices rose to defend human rights, workers' rights, and the fight against child labour. Ordinary citizens came together to protest, to be heard, and to make a difference. Little did they know that they would be met with extreme brutality from the very authorities meant to protect them.

The Italian government, in a shocking display of inhumanity, trained their police force to hate and to destroy their own citizens. The images of violence that emerged from those dark days were deeply disturbing, leaving us questioning how only a single life was lost amidst such brutality. It wasn't just activists or anarchists; it was kids, students, journalists, families, teachers, and professors who bore the brunt of this tragedy.

I recall the days leading up to that fateful event. Excitement mixed with determination permeated the air as we prepared materials and messages to join the protests. "Centri sociali" were abuzz with creativity, printing and drawing leaflets, banners, and signs, and a sense of positivity filled the atmosphere. How could we have imagined the horrors that awaited us? Europe, the heart of civilization, became the stage for an atrocious spectacle.

I was meant to be there with my friends, but fate intervened (in the form of an Uni exam), and I was spared from experiencing the nightmare firsthand. Still, the aftermath left its mark on everyone who cared about justice and human dignity. During the following days I saw first hand some of the victims, the signs of that destructive violence was all over their bodies. 

From head to toe, to inside their souls.

In the days that followed, my friend Rox and I sought to share the truth with the world. Through Indiemedia's platform, we collected materials, testimonies, and witness statements, trying to help those affected. However, instead of justice, we witnessed a dictatorial fear strategy at play. People disappeared, some ended up in prison or hospitals, and families were left searching for their loved ones while receiving no assistance from the police or the Government. Lawyers struggled to find justice, and a wall was erected between the citizens and those in power.

Chaos reigned as the innocent were gaslighted and shamed as the "bad people." A twisted narrative took root, forever changing the way we viewed our freedom of speech. 

Many gave up the fight, protecting themselves by adopting a neutral stance, becoming "good and plain" in order to build their lives. The prevailing sentiment became "There is nothing I can do to change things," a dismissive and hopeless response to the plight of our world.

The G8 summit in Genoa was a crucial moment when change was needed the most. It called for unity, for the protection of our planet and its people, but it was met with force and oppression. We must never forget the day they broke us forever. It serves as a stark reminder of the power of collective action and the necessity of preserving democracy, decency, and freedom for generations to come.