Hunters in the square in Bergamo, about seven thousand for the National Day of the Hunting Pride; there was no shortage of animal rights disturbers.
Thousands of hunters took to the streets in Bergamo, the organizers speak of 7 thousand participants from all over Italy, for the demonstration in defense of the hunting pride. The hunters of the various Hunting Associations and simple sympathizers gathered to give life to the National Day of Hunting Pride and marched in procession starting from the station in the early afternoon, along Viale Papa Giovanni XXIII to conclude the procession in Piazza Veneto where the event is continued with a rally. The demonstrators marched in procession with banners and flags of all kinds and hunting signs, some set up chariots with the appearance of hunting huts and there was no shortage of four-legged hunting companions who joined the hunters also in the parade; the parade was also attended by many families with children, many of whom holding a toy rifle to signify the desire to carry on, from generation to generation, an ancient tradition as well as to enhance it on an economic and occupational level.
The intent of the event was above all to make it clear that hunters are normal people like many others, with a clean criminal record "guilty" only of having a great and ancient passion for hunting in their blood, often handed down from father to son. There was also talk of protecting the arms and hunting sectors which employ thousands of people; In fact, the event was attended by representatives of important gunsmith companies very present in Lombardy which contribute considerably to the local and national economy. In fact, it seems that hunters move about 250 million euros a year in taxes alone, to which are added about 61 million VAT moved directly by the sporting and civil arms sector, almost exclusively composed of hunting activities, thus constituting an annual income for the State of about 300 million.
There are also trade associations from the agricultural and livestock sectors. During the meeting, the hunters also touched on some salient themes for hunting such as the protection of roccoli as a historical cultural heritage of the hunting tradition but at risk of dismantling by 2017 thanks to some animal welfare initiatives at European level; hunters have complained that in other European countries the capture of wild birds is allowed to be used as hunting calls, especially for migratory birds such as France which allows the capture with the use of mistletoe and vertical bird nets or Holland which even allows the collection of Lapwing eggs.
In the same way, the protection of migratory hunters was also discussed, which was also called into question by the various initiatives to adapt Italian legislation to European directives; another topic of heated discussion concerned hunting in derogation of some species considered protected in Italy on which, however, the regional administrations are struggling to express themselves. Among the various exponents of the various hunting associations, the regional secretary of the CISL, Gigi Petteni, a convinced hunter, also took part in the meeting; the demonstration broke up peacefully at about 17.30 pm.
We mention for the sake of reporting that unfortunately there was no lack of the usual animalist disturbers, about a dozen of the self-styled "Animalist Front", who before the start of the procession staged the usual "protest" with launches of smoke bombs, anti-hunt choirs and shouting " Assassins ”obviously addressing the hunters with the intention of hindering the march and provoking the demonstrators. To put an end to the sad scene, however, we have thought of the Police who have taken steps to block the "protesters" thus allowing the peaceful conduct of the demonstration for the Day of the Hunting Pride.
(May 20, 2014)
Photo: Republic