Lucrezia Ciotti A post criticizing law enforcement published by a physics doctoral student at the University of Bologna sparked controversy, with criticism centering on his comments about officers injured during the clashes in Milan. Rector Giovanni Molari announced an investigation, while MP Galeazzo Bignami called for the researcher's removal from the university.
The Bologna PhD student's shock post against the police: controversy over his comments about injured officers.
The violence that erupted over the weekend in Milan, Turin, and Bologna continues to fuel debate about safety and the limits of protests. A comment posted on social media by a physics doctoral student at the University of Bologna , harshly attacking the officers involved in the clashes, sparked renewed controversy. The post came as images circulated of Angelo De Simone, a police officer injured during riots in Milan, where a fire extinguisher was thrown at a police officer by masked youths on October 17.
In his Facebook post, the researcher wrote: “ If police officers don't want to take a fire extinguisher to the back of their necks anymore, they can always change jobs .” He immediately followed up with an offensive expression towards law enforcement: “ No one forced them to choose a job for sons of bitches .”
The statements provoked outrage even among those close to the author of the post. Among the critical comments was one user who replied, " I hope you never need this ." The story quickly transcended social media, even reaching political figures' chats, reigniting the debate over the assaults suffered by officers during demonstrations.
Rector Giovanni Molari announces investigations, Bignami requests the removal of the doctoral student
The doctoral student's stance prompted the leadership of the Alma Mater Studiorum of Bologna to intervene. Rector Giovanni Molari condemned the remarks , assuring that the university would evaluate the situation and proceed according to its own jurisdiction. " These are completely unacceptable words ," he declared, specifying that " the university will immediately take action within its remit and we have already initiated the necessary investigations ." Molari also expressed his sympathy for the police officers injured in the clashes and expressed his hope that similar incidents, which could compromise the meaning of democratic demonstrations, will not be repeated: " I express my solidarity with the injured officers and I hope we will never again see similar acts of violence that undermine the expression of legitimate and democratic dissent ," as reported by Il Resto del Carlino.
Galeazzo Bignami, leader of the Brothers of Italy group in the Chamber of Deputies and the party's key figure in Emilia-Romagna, also weighed in on the matter. The parliamentarian was harsh towards the researcher, demanding that measures be taken against him. " He must be fired ," Bignami stated, adding: " An individual like that is incompatible with the university. And there's no need to even explain why... I hope ." The controversy is now focusing on the investigations announced by the university and the potential consequences of the case.