After weeks spent sleeping rough, the 24 young asylum seekers currently in L'Aquila were accommodated during the night between January 7 and 8 in a temporary dormitory set up inside a charity-run soup kitchen. The group was given shelter for one night in a dormitory arranged in the meeting room of the Celestino soup kitchen.
After days of controversy, assistance was finally provided on the evening of January 7, "in premises not subject to a demolition order," as explained by Paolo Giorgi of Fraterna Tau Onlus, speaking on the sidelines of an inspection carried out earlier that day by the municipal police in the area of the Church of San Bernardino in Piazza d'Armi. The wooden structure was built as a temporary facility following the 2009 earthquake.
Meanwhile, dozens of people responded to the call for solidarity, heading to the Piazza d'Armi complex to donate blankets, clothing and other necessities.
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Diverging positions between the Municipality and Fraterna Tau NGO
"Assistance will be guaranteed in premises that are not subject to a demolition order," Giorgi reiterated after the inspection.
His proposal to host the 24 asylum seekers inside the church had been rejected by the city councillor for Urban Planning, Francesco De Santis, who stressed that this was "not a personal position, but that of the Municipality."
The Piazza d'Armi structure, built in the immediate post-earthquake period, is subject to a demolition order linked to the end of emergency functions related to the 2009 seismic event.
The non-profit organization emphasized the need to distinguish between the church and service areas: the demolition order applies to the church and the adjoining "small convent," while the canteen and service areas may remain operational until activities return to their original premises.
A possible solution, according to Fraterna Tau, would be a "renewal of the agreement," with the transfer of ownership of the entire complex to the Municipality of L'Aquila and the management of services entrusted to the association.
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Political controversy erupts
"The former church in Piazza d'Armi has no legal grounds to become a dormitory," said Councillor De Santis, adding that the Municipality will not allow the unlawful occupation of a structure slated for demolition and that the priority remains ensuring "safety and legality."
De Santis also responded provocatively to criticism from the Democratic Party (PD), inviting the opposition to make its headquarters on Via Paganica available to host the migrants. In a statement backing the councillor, majority councillors from the civic group L'Aquila Protagonista said: "There is no municipal authorization for the establishment of a dormitory within the structure."
From the opposition benches, Stefania Pezzopane (PD) called for the urgent convening of the Third Commission and proposed a public dormitory, along with an "orderly and monitored" reception. Democratic senator Michele Fina said he was ready to bring the case before Parliament.
The new prefect of the provincial capital, Vito Cusumano, in his inaugural address on January 7, called for "putting people at the centre, always while respecting the rules."
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