We were there. We met another Italian, whom we barely knew, carrying a sign: "LUTHER BLISSETT IS HERE". Years later he became a top figure in Beppe Grillo's Five Star Movement. Then he was expelled and members were prohibited to mention him ever again.
His trajectory exemplifies what happened to a significant part of that generation, former activists who are now in their late 30s. They deluded themselves into thinking the 5SM would lead 'em out of their post-2001, post-Genoa spleen, and they ended up feeding a monster.
Now that guy is no longer into politics or struggles. Some time ago he opened a somewhat hipsterish osteria in the gentrified centre of Bologna. It's precisely where once was a wonderful bookshop, long run by a Greek comrade. A place cherished by three generations of activists.
Rightist conspiracists always rave about Soros being everywhere, the evil «Kalergi Plan», occult forces wanting to replace white Europeans with Africans and Muslims etc. It's the so-called «substition of nations». Nope. What took place was a «substitution of movements».
In Italy most of the energy and a relevant part of the imagery and slogans that had fuelled the early 2000s wave of radical struggles were hijacked and effectively channelled into a diversionary narrative by a reactionary movement.
