Reliance on Freedom of Assembly: Comparative Perspectives

This essay provides an overview of the right of freedom of assembly and a brief historic panorama of this fundamental right internationally, and its development in Italy and the U.S. It examines the constitutionally imposed requirements as mandated through Italian legislation for citizens to give advance notice of any meeting held in public places, and compares them to notice requirements in other European countries and the U.S. It refers to a grassroots movement in Italy, Retake Roma, to exemplify citizens’ reliance on the right of Freedom of Assembly to stimulate democratic values, effect change and motivate all sectors of society.