Rome, Italy: People Say NO to War

Well over 100,000 (yes, that's one hundred thousand) people marched through Rome city centre on Saturday 10 November in an anti-war demonstration. The marchers, organized under the name of the Rome Social Forum, included people of all ages from 8 to 80, all nations, with members of the large immigrant population of Italy in a prominent position, and all political persuasions, except fascists.

In what was considered by many to be an unexpectedly tension-free event, the people marched, sang, danced and chanted their way in a multi-coloured, bubbling river of bodies to the Circus Maximus where they were awaited by the words "NO WAR" written large in candlelight.

A huge contrast to the government-sponsored pro-war "USA-Day" spectacle at the almost ironically named "People's Place" (Piazza del Popolo), again in the centre of Rome. Here, barely 20,000 well-heeled, well-behaved Forza Italia part supporters and their friends from the other rightist forces in Italy, spent the afternoon waving US flags and taking part in what was simply a US propaganda extravaganza with special appearances by "famous personalities", all televised live at the behest of Berlusconi.

Their plug was pulled however, when TV chiefs removed the live coverage only to transfer it to the NO WAR march, which was deemed more entertaining - as it was. One of the livliest sections of the march was provided by the anarchist area led by USI-AIT and the FAI, but which attracted several hundred "independent" anarchists. The USI sound system also proved to be a magnet as many joined in to dance their way to the music. By all means an excellent opportunity for anarchists to present to the public a face somewhat different to that of the popular image of rioters and troublemakers.