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Justin Mallia, PhD Candidate in Art History and Theory, Monash University

A brief history of Bella Ciao, the anti-fascist Italian song cited in the Charlie Kirk shooting

The Bella ciao, Milano! demonstration for the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Italy from Nazi-fascism in April 2025. Alessandro Bremec/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Following the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, officials reported unspent bullet casings were found at the scene. These were engraved with phrases such as “If you read This, you are GAY Lmao”, “hey fascist! CATCH!” and “O Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Bella ciao, Ciao, ciao!”

Bella Ciao (literally, “hello beautiful” or “goodbye beautiful”) is a traditional Italian folk song known for its association with the anti-fascist resistance in Italy during the second world war.

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