Migrants attack journalists

Journalists working from a TV show were shooting a report on illegal migrant squatters, because the phenomenon of migrants breaking into and unlawfully occupying properties has become increasingly frequent in Italy. The crew, however, was attacked by migrants and one of the journalists had to be taken into hospital.

The incident occurred in Monastier di Treviso, a town near Venice. The crew was recording footage at an elderly man’s house, which was occupied by a Nigerian immigrant after the old man had moved into a nusring home. The situation quickly spiralled out of control after the crew arrived, so much so that police were called to intervene and restore order.

Despite the presence of officers, the migrant became aggressive and charged at the cameraman while shouting expletives to the rest of the crew. Turning towards the journalist and the cameraman, he yelled “I will show you” threateningly, and then he slapped the cameraman’s face with an iPad, tore off his glasses and bit him, leaving tooth marks and a large bruise on his arm. When the attack was over, the illegal migrant, who had already been expelled from Italy in August 2020, simply walked back into the illegally occupied house, as if nothing had happened.

Another violent incident took place in Cuneo, where two South American migrants attacked a reporter who was doing research for an article on gang warfare. Armed with heavy iron chains, the immigrants first hit the reporter and the security guards escorting the crew, and then they rushed to the car where the reporter took refuge. One of them smashed the windows while his Cuban accomplice tried to pull a female journalist out of the car. Later, she reported countless scratches and bruises from broken glass.

“Kill her, kill her,” they shouted, pointing at the journalist. The woman, who suffered wounds that would heal within eight days, was taken to hospital. Her security staff sustained minor bruises.