Bernini: 'I will claim damages for vandalism against research sites'

Claiming damages for acts of vandalism perpetrated against places of research, such as the damage to the rectorate of the University of Genoa: this was announced by the Minister for Universities and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, on the sidelines of the opening event of the European Researchers' Night held in Frascati. "I have always been a great supporter of the freedom of universities and I have tried to maintain this liberal spirit even in the most difficult moments of my mandate," Bernini said on the sidelines of the event designed to celebrate 20 years of the European initiative promoted to bring citizens closer to the world of scientific research. "There have been various demonstrations for various reasons, other than for Gaza or the Flotilla, but I have always asked for respect both for the rectors, who are the first guarantors of the security of the universities, and for the demonstrators, to be first of all peaceful and never violent, neither verbally nor physically," the minister added.

Referring to some recent violent events, including some acts of vandalism recorded at the University of Genoa's rectorate, Bernini added that these were acts 'outside the democratic perimeter, outside the protection of researchers' rights'. "The protection in this case is up to me and the rectors," he continued, "and as far as I am concerned I will ask for damages for everything that has been broken, ruined or destroyed for reasons that are incomprehensible. You don't help the cause of Gaza, you don't help the Flotilla, breaking a wall, smashing and defacing classrooms or writing sentences on walls has nothing to do with the free manifestation of a democratic thought".