Two victims

This is a tale of two victims. Only one of them, so far, has a name: Carlo Giuliani. He probably wouldn't have called himself an anarchist - he probably, for that matter, wouldn't have laid claim to any political title at all. But whatever it was that brought him to the city centre on the day of his death, he declared his rejection of capitalism by that final, fatal act.

Carlo was 23 years old. The man who killed him was only 20. He was a poorly-trained conscript in the paramilitary Carabinieri. He was, by his own account (which we have no reason to disbelieve), terrified, maybe even in fear for his life. Yet now he might well face a hefty prison sentence for manslaughter.

In recent issues, Freedom has applauded those who stand up to oppression. And the front line in the daily oppression capitalism doles out is often provided by dupes (or conscripts) in uniform. It is therefore inevitable that our resistance will be often aimed at them.

This cannot be helped. But it must be a source of profound regret. Carlo, and the man who shot him, are both capitalism's victims. Both were failed by the bosses against whose rule Carlo was trying to protest. Two lives were wasted on Friday 20th July, not just one.


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