Land of bans

 
Italy: land of history, beauty, amazing food, hospitality and recently, country of “public decorum”. Thanks to a nationwide crackdown on crime and a government decree giving them extra law-and-order powers, Italian mayors have issued a string of often bizarre by-laws that seem to go way too far. 
 
When in Capri, don’t wander off the beach in a bikini. If you go to the sea in Eraclea, remember that building sandcastles is forbidden. And don’t even think about mowing your lawn at the weekend in Forte dei Marmi.
Public displays of affection in a car can earn you a fine of up to 500 euros ($745) in Eboli, feeding pigeons is off-limits in the centre of Lucca while in Novara groups of more than two people are forbidden from lounging around in parks at night.

Law enforcement is there for our own well being, but there is also a difference between a law that protects citizens and one that promotes authoritarianism in the name of power. 

And remember, if you are planning in getting close to nature by lying down in a park to read a good book in the beautiful city of Vicenza, you better think it twice: the fine is 50 euros…  

Filed Under Human Rights, Politics