Rome La Sapienza University politicalphilosophy lecturer and TV pundit Donatella Di Cesare saidTuesday she was "disconcerted" with the "storm" of criticism shehad received by hailing a Red Brigades militant who died Mondayas someone whose "revolution" she shared while differing on the ways used to achieve it.
"I'm surprised and disconcerted over the storm that has been raised" after she remembered "Comrade Luna" Barbara Balzerani, who took part in the raid that killed ex Christian Democratic leader Aldo Moro's five escorts, as a fellow traveler, spurring the rightwing League party leader Matteo Salvini to call him a "disgrace".
"I have read statements from ministers who have stigmatized me with very heavy words," De Cesare went on.
"I have always been against all forms of violence.
"That is attested to by my life, my writings, and my teaching.
"I recalled Barbara Balzerani's death di lei, whom I've always been distant from. In that context I touched on that radical transformation to which my generation aspired.
"Some chose armed struggle;
I took the path of feminism.
"I experienced the violence of those years firsthand, that of many Fascists".
Di Cesare ,
an essayist who often appears on TV talk shows, posted on
Balzerani, 75, who never reneged on her past of political violence, but said she was sorry for the victims, was involved in several killings, including the 1978 raid in which the five member of ex-premier Aldo Moro's security escort were murdered.
Moro was kidnapped in the raid, and killed 54 days later.
Balzerani was also involved in the abduction of United States General James L. Dozier in 1981.
The previous year she was part of the BR hit squad that assassinated magistrate Girolamo Minervini.
She was arrested in 1985.
Due to her ability to dodge arrest she was nicknamed "the scarletpimpernel" by the Italian media.
Salvini said after La Sapienza's dean voiced "dismay" at DiCesare's post: "In a university seat at the Sapienza and very often a guest of the TV salons of (independent broadcaster) La7.
An unacceptable insult for the victims of Red terrorism. "Shameon her .
"Prof Donatella Di Cesare celebrates the dead BR woman Barbara Balzerani," said the anti-migrant leader.
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