College students who are members of an Italian communist group hung a puppet representing the billionaire Elon Musk upside down in Piazzale Loreto, this Tuesday (21), in Milan.
The event, organized by “Cambiare Rotta – Organizzazione Giovanile Comunista“, alludes to the exhibition of the body of dictator Benito Mussolini in the same place in 1945.
The puppet, made from garbage bags and a photo of Musk, symbolizes the group's rejection of what they called "Nazi-fascist gestures." On social media, the organization posted: "There's always room in Piazzale Loreto, Elon."
Historical context and criticism of Musk
Piazzale Loreto is historically known for being the place where the bodies of Mussolini, his lover Clara Petacci and other fascist leaders were displayed upside down in April 1945, after being executed by the Italian Resistance. Previously, the same place had been used by the fascist regime to display the bodies of anti-fascist fighters.
The protest comes after Musk was accused of performing gestures considered similar to the Roman, or Nazi-fascist, salute during Donald Trump's inauguration as US president.
The gesture, which consists of extending the right arm with an open hand, generated widespread negative repercussions. Musk responded to the accusations by saying that his critics need “better dirty tricks”.
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