Thousands of people gathered around 3.30pm on Via Forlanini in Florence to participate in the Wish Parade in Florence. Music, beer, colorful clothes and 14 floats filled the streets of the city. The arrival point is the Ernesto de Pascale Amphitheatre, in the Cascine park.
There were many kids present to demonstrate against the anti-rave decree, which came into force just over two years ago. On the flyers that are distributed at the parade, however, the organizers specify that the intentions for which they took to the streets are also different: “We want to live a dignified life, with the possibility of gathering in safer spaces. We reject the militarization of the city and the obsession with control disguised as solutions to degradation”, we read on the poster distributed between one cart and another.
Suddenly the music stops and all the participants gather around one of the trucks used as a float for the event. Above, next to the DJ, a girl takes the microphone and starts the event: “Today we take to the streets for the third street parade in Florence. Let’s remember that this parade is also transfeminist and anti-fascist. We fight because there is a lack of meeting spaces. They’ve been chasing us off the streets for years. We know that asking is not enough to get what we want and therefore a revolution is needed. Let’s start with this street parade.”
The demonstration begins amidst whistles of approval and applause.
Pink smoke bombs and thousands of people head towards the Cascine.
“I am here because I believe in the values proposed by this event. I believe in freedom, feminism and anti-fascism. This street parade is much bigger than those that have taken place in the past”, says Irene.
Passing through Piazza Puccini, continuing towards Porta a Prato and arriving at the city’s Ferris wheel, the demonstrators dance and sing while shouting their ideals.
Dozens of cars stop to see what’s happening. Some curious passers-by instead decide to join the protest.
“We are here not only to legalize raves but also to demonstrate that they are events that can ultimately be done in a respectful way. In fact, at the end some floats will also pass by and will clean the entire route we will take today”, explains Frank, who arrived from Ravenna to take part in the parade with his friends.
