Mayor Urbano Cioccetti’s refusal to approve an official city celebration of the liberation of Rome from fascist and Nazi rule was drawing criticism and resentment here today. Protest meetings were held and complaints were presented to the presidents of the Italian Senate and the Italian Chamber of Deputies by representatives of the Rome Jewish Community, labor unions, Social Democrats, left-wing Socialists, Republican and other parties.
Mayor Cioccetti issued a statement Monday, declaring that the city will not participate in the celebration of the 15th anniversary of Rome’s liberation because “no demonstration should be held which might rekindle hatreds, or reopen new wounds now healing. ” The celebration had been scheduled for tomorrow. The Mayor also refused to accept the honorary chairmanship of an exhibition now being prepared here, commemorating the Italians who were deported to Nazi concentration camps. After announcing this attitude, the Mayor left for Paris.
A manifesto issued today by the National Association of Italian Partisans condemned the Mayor’s attitude. The organization pointed out that 3, 850 persons were deported by the Nazis from Rome, including 2, 091 Jews. Only 32 of the deported Jews returned from the camps, stated the manifesto. “Cioccetti is not entitled to be the Mayor of these people, nor does he represent Rome, ” the manifesto said.
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