Street art on Egonu called 'Italian-ness' put up at CONI

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 12 - A piece of street art hailing Italian volleyball's historic Olympic gold medal winning team standout Paola Egonu put up outside the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) office in Rome overnight is called Italian-ness' in a reference to rightwing League MEP General Roberto Vannacci's assertion in a bestselling book that her "somatic features do not represent Italian-ness".
    Veneto-born Egonu, 25, who has Nigerian parents, top scored in Sunday's Olympic final victory over reigning champions the USA to give Italy its first Olympic volleyball gold medal for either sex.
    The art by Laika shows Egonu spiking a ball bearing the words: "Stop to racism, hate, xenophobia, ignorance".
    The Roman street artist, who wears a white mask and pink wig and says she has been "fighting injustice" with her works in the Italian capital since 2019, said about her latest paste-up piece that it was against Vannacci and others who share his views.
    "This victory is a slap in the face for all the so-called 'patriots' who don't accept a multi-ethnic Italy, made up of second generations, that doesn't want citizenship by birth in Italy. It's a ball hit in the face of those who speak of 'Italain-ness' referring to somatic features.
    "In our country there is no longer any room for xenophobia, racism, hate and intolerance.
    "Racism is a social scourge that must be defeated.
    "Doing so through sport too is extremely important. I believe in a future of inclusion, welcome and respect fro human rights.
    "Being represented by athletes like Paola Egonu, (Palermo born Ivorian Italian) Myriam Sylla, and (Iceland born Russian heritage) Ekaterina Antropova is an honour," Laika went on, naming the other stars of the volleyball win.
    "Seeing them with the most precious medal of the Olympic Games around their necks, while they sing the Italian anthem with emotion, is an immense joy.
    "I dedicate this poster to all the Italians who are not recognised as such by our State".
    Egonu unsuccessfully sued Vannacci for his Italan-ness remark, which a judge ruled was "inopportune but not defamatory".
    On Sunday the controversial general turned politician hailed the women's "huge" victory and told AGI news agency "I have never called into question (Egonu's) Italian-ness but I reiterate that her somatic features do not represent the majority of Italians".
    (ANSA).