Dark-skinned nativity scene angers conservatives in Verona

Some people in Verona, Italy are up in arms about a nativity scene at their local courthouse in which Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are depicted as dark-skinned people. Interestingly, it was chief public prosecutor Mario Giulio Schinaia’s idea to do this based on historical evidence that baby Jesus was in fact likely to have had darker skin.

Verona has strong links to the Northern League party, a political entity allied with PM Silvio Burlusconi that is strongly anti-immigration — the League is in the midst of a two-month initiative, called White Christmas, in which they hope to “ferret out foreigners without proper permits in Coccaglio, a small League-led town east of Milan“. They’ve also advocated for separate buses and trains for immigrants, banning new mosques, and getting rid of all Chinese and kebab restaurants in the towns where they have the most influence.

Image via howieluvzus’ Flickr