“Yesterday, Sunday 2 June, Republic Day, around 6pm there was a small crowd at the bus stop in Piazza Europa. Unfortunately, public transport was not available. They could be seen leaving the hospital and then turning outside at the Porta Rocca stop. So, we headed towards that stop. There an ATC employee invited fellow drivers to turn in that direction, warning that the next stop would be in Viale Amendola even if private vehicles passed normally. When I asked why, I was told that it was Corpus Christi, I imagine it was referring to a procession.
When the institutional referendum was voted on 2 June 1946, the Constituents were also elected who, unlike the Albertine Statute which indicated Catholicism as the state religion, drafted a secular and non-denominational Constitution for which every religious belief is worthy of respect.
For this reason I imagine that if an animist belief wanted to organize a parade it would enjoy the same attention reserved for Corpus Christi.
What, however, I don’t understand is why users were not adequately informed: no signs at the stops, no staff to inform travellers. The fact that a person in charge directed the drivers to take the detour shows the improvisation and extemporaneousness with which everything was organised.
Yet, only a short time ago, for a foot race along the city streets, signs were posted at the stops informing about the diversion of public traffic, required by the event.
It is truly regrettable to note that greater care was given to a foot race than to an event which involved many citizens because it seems that the alteration of the public service for the religious event was improvised to the full detriment of those who use it.
But doesn’t the law provide that the authorities must be informed of every public demonstration?”
Alberto Scaramuccia
