In front of La Scala fashion and pro-Gaza united: a guest waves the Palestinian flag

They were united for a single moment, when a guest at the Cnmi Sustainable Fashion Awards waved a Palestine flag borrowed from the protesters, the two souls who found themselves together on Saturday evening in Piazza della Scala. On the one hand the activists of the Milanese encampment of the permanent presidium '100 Squares for Gaza', on the other the fashion elite, gathered for the annual event at the Piermarini where the sustainability awards are presented. Two worlds met for a few moments, when one of the guests of La Scala theatre, in evening dress, grabbed a flag of the activists, waving it and explaining that she had taken part in the protests in the square in recent days.

In the past few hours, activists from the permanent pro-Gaza camp had requested to go on stage at La Scala, which hosts the Awards, to draw attention to the ongoing humanitarian drama in Palestine and to explain the meaning of the initiative that started yesterday not only in Milan but in many Italian squares. A minute's attention that was 'shamefully denied' explained the activists, who chanted slogans such as 'Free Palestine' and 'If it doesn't end intifada here too'.

"We had asked to be allowed to intervene to say a few clear words and draw attention, because we believe that fashion and the Palestinian tragedy are not incompatible, quite the contrary," they said over the megaphone. "Solidarity is fundamental, we are very sorry that the organisers of this event have not found the time for this. For the protesters, 'it is absurd to talk about ethics and human rights while ignoring what is happening in Palestine'. For their part, 'we will continue to follow up,' they guaranteed, 'with this watchword: garrison to the bitter end'.