An Italian town is accused of apartheid for launching a separate bus service for migrants after repeated complaints from locals.
The town of Calizzano is home to 1,545 people and 40 refugees. Some residents have complained that the morning commute has become “overcrowded” and “unpleasant” as a result of the refugees.
Authorities gave in to the complaints after an alleged brawl between two Africans over the weekend, and it has now told migrants to use separate buses in the morning.
“We did everything we could to allow migrants to integrate, but now the atmosphere has changed,” Calizzano’s mayor, Pierangelo Oliveri, told local media. “We asked the cooperative to explain to our guests that they should not use, unless necessary, the 6:30 and 6:45 buses, which are already overcrowded.”
The decision has been met with mixed reactions in Italy, with some comparing it to apartheid.
“Those who speak of apartheid are right,” said Raffaella Paita, the leader of the Democratic Party in the region, according to The Local. “Problems are not resolved by discriminating against people.”
Oliveri responded to the criticism by saying the ordinance has nothing to with racism or intolerance.
“It is not about racism or intolerance,” Oliveri said. “We have shown quite the opposite in the past two years.”
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