A white sport coat and a pink triangle

(Rome) A call by the deputy mayor of Treviso for the ethnic cleansing of gays from the region, in the north of Italy, has sparked a mass demonstration.

Nearly a thousand people turned out in front of the city hall on the weekend to demand the resignation of Giancarlo Gentilini.

Last week the rightwing politician told a local television station that he would order police to put an end to gay cruising which he claimed was out of control.

"I will immediately give orders to my forces so that they can carry out an ethnic cleansing of faggots," Gentilini told the station in an interview.

"The faggots must go to other [places] where they are welcome. Here in Treviso there is no chance for faggots or the like."

The politician's remarks brought back memories of the Mussolini dictatorship where Jews, gays and other minorities were rounded up and sent to concentration camps - mostly in Axis-controlled countries where many died during World War Two.

Many of those in the crowd wore pink triangles, the symbol gays in the camps were forced to wear. Others wore yellow triangles that Jews were required to wear.

The local prosecutor's office is looking into Gentilini's remarks to see if they violate Italy's laws against promoting hatred.

Many of those taking part in the protest were not gay, but told local media they were there to show their solidarity and denounce prejudice.