Italians march against racism after migrant shootings

Thousands of anti-fascist demonstrators rallied in the central Italian town of Macerata and other cities on Saturday, a week after a far-right gunmen shot and wounded six Africans in a racially-motivated attack. 

Organisers said between 10,000 and 30,000 protesters turned out for the march in Macerata following a call by NGOs, anti-fascist organisations, unions and several leftwing political groups.

"If there's unemployment, blame the government, not the migrants," they chanted, with some singing  songs like "Bella Ciao", used worldwide as an anti-fascist hymn of freedom and resistance. 

Other smaller rallies were held across the country, including in Piacenza, where the demonstrators clashed with police.

In Milan they held up placards saying: "Foreigners, do not leave us alone with the fascists".

"The atmosphere is tense in Italy at the moment and in recent years we have allowed the right to flourish. I have always demonstrated but now we need to do so more than ever," said Mafalda Quartu, a retiree from Florence. 

The town hit the headlines on February 3 when Luca Traini, 28, allegedly carried out the two-hour shooting spree from his car, in which he shot at around a dozen African migrants, wounding five men and a woman. 

Speaking to investigators, he reportedly said it was in response to the murder of an 18-year-old Italian girl whose dismembered body was found in several suitcases, with police arresting a Nigerian drug dealer in connection with the case. 

The shooting shocked Italy ahead of a general election in just three weeks' time in which far-right parties are expected to make a strong showing.