«In a free and democratic university, students are not identified at a conference. The function is clearly intimidating». The philology teacher Filippomaria Pontani he says he is «surprised and worried» by what happened last Monday when, during the conference “Where is Israel going? Scenarios, challenges, prospects”, held by the statistics professor and consultant to the government of Israel, Sergio della Pergola, at Palazzo Vendramin.
At the end of the meeting a student asked the speaker a question, there was an exchange with different positions but, the teachers present confirmed, nothing disrespectful or with over the top tones. However, Digos agents identified some students present at the meeting and controversy broke out, with the War and Peace group of Ca’ Foscari asking for explanations from the rector Tiziana Lippiello, and condemning the episode.
The presence of the agents, however, it would not have been requested by the rector but linked to those activities to protect public order that Digos usually carries out to avoid disorder and tension. There were also some who raised the attention of the Police Headquarters against posters posted around the city, inviting large-scale participation to contest the teacher.
«It’s not enough for the rector to say that she didn’t call the Digos, this is her home and she can’t pretend nothing happened. This is pure academic activity. What message are we giving to our students? » concludes the professor. A group of citizens also took the side of the young people. “We can no longer remain indifferent or silent and we believe it is necessary for the Rector to clarify her position” they ask.
There is dismay even among the university who attended the meeting. «We didn’t do anything wrong, we listened for two hours and then there were some comments, but in a civil and calm manner. Why identify ourselves? What were we doing wrong? We were attending a meeting at our university.”
