This picture shows some tents inside the portico of the Basilica of the Santi Apostoli in Rome's historic center, just a few hundred meters from Piazza Venezia. This is where foreigners, Italian, and migrants have taken refuge since August 10, following the evacuation of the occupied building where they had been living, near Cinecitta.
The basilica has been providing shelter to these men and women, as well as children and entire families, who are African, South American, Eastern European and Italian. They have been receiving help from associations and activists as well as the generosity of local residents, without running water or available restrooms. Sometimes tourists stop to give candy to the children. There is a pregnant women among those who were evicted."It's a stalled situation, with the complete absence of institutions," Claudio, who is one of those who were evacuated and also belongs to one of the movements for the right to housing, told ANSA.
"The only presence is that of sensitive people and friends from other occupied buildings in Rome," he said. The land on which the tents are currently located belongs to the Vatican, so Italian police aren't permitted to enter."We're the best example of integration and cohabitation between different cultures and religions," he said.
Regarding future prospects, Claudio said the Curia of Rome has told those being sheltered at the basilica that it won't send them away."Institutions have offered to take fragile people, such as women and children, into their structures, without the rest of their family, and clearly the people refused because they don't want to be separated. We're here to be visible; tourists look at us.It's shameful that no solutions are being proposed," he said. (Picture by Stefano Intreccialagli)