On Monday 19 July 2010, 1.4 million signatures of Italian citizens were brought to the highest Italian court in Rome demanding three referendums. The goal is to put water and its management mechanisms outside the profiteering of domestic financial markets and international reach again its governance.
With only 500,000 signatures, there would have been enough, but wide ranges of the social fabric took part, many local committees, unions, churches, associations and social centers worked on the campaign, united by a sense unprecedented. Never before in the history of Italy there was an increase of popular mobilization against privatization and neoliberal theories for excellence in public service and water management.
During this worldwide economic crisis, governments have bowed to the will of lobbyists and financial rights and have reduced welfare, but a message loud and clear from Italy was released against commercialization of public services, starting with WATER.
Never before in an industrialized country in the north of the world where multinational corporations prey resources in the South, as a force with broad representation had shown so clearly its opposition to the denial of right to life is inherent in the privatization of water. The profit can not, therefore, the fundamental rule of life for humans on the planet.
This success is a stage in the campaign moves to Europe and global, jointly carried out for the defense of water, participatory and public.
Italian Forum of Water Movements for
