Italy greets Bush with anti-war protest

[IDemo]

Source: Associated Press

updated 3:02 a.m. MT, Thurs., June. 12, 2008

ROME - President Bush can look forward to a hearty welcome from his old friend, the Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi, and Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Rome. That's not what could be found on the streets, however, where anti-Bush sentiment over the war in Iraq still lingers.

Anti-war activists and hundreds of other demonstrators marched through the streets of the Italian capital as Bush arrived on Wednesday for a visit that was to include meetings with Berlusconi on Thursday and the pope on Friday.

Commercial flights have been banned over Rome during Bush's two-day stay. Dozens of buses and trams have been rerouted. Thousands of policemen have been deployed as part of a tight security plan to monitor any further protests, though Wednesday's march drew far fewer demonstrators than previous visits by Bush.

Slovenia and Germany, the first two stops on Bush's trip, were devoid of demonstrators. One activist group in Germany that had organized protests during previous Bush visits said they did not think this trip was not important enough because Bush has little time left in office.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25112374/

[ohio2007]

1. hundreds ?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25102103/displaymode/1176/rstry/25112374/
any better pics ?

[thecrow]

2. When the crowd is unblievably large to suit their "purposes"

it is always described as "hundreds" (which is also true) and photographed from a low angle such as you see here.
I think Italian or international news services will produce photos showing the thousands later.

Edit: "Thousands of policemen have been deployed as part of a tight security plan to monitor any further protests"

They wouldn't have thousands of cops to monitor hundreds of protestors. The further protests I expect will be larger.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Bush tells Rome protesters to get 'first-hand truth' on US

Bush tells Rome protesters to get 'first-hand truth' on US
Haroon Siddique and agencies guardian.co.uk, Thursday June 12 2008

The US president, George Bush, today urged young Italians to get the "first-hand truth" about America after his visit to Rome prompted protests.

Hundreds of anti-war activists and student demonstrators marched through the Italian capital yesterday as Bush arrived at the latest stop on his farewell trip to Europe.

Speaking at the Villa Aurelia, part of the American Academy in Rome, the Bush disputed what he called misinformation and propaganda about the United States.

"We're a compassionate, open country that cares about people... We love the entrepreneurial spirit," he said.

Security is extremely tight for his two-day stay in Rome, which will include meetings with the Italian prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, and Pope Benedict XVI tomorrow. Commercial flights have been banned from flying over the city and dozens of buses and trams have been rerouted.

Thousands of policemen have been deployed to monitor any further protests, although yesterday's march drew far fewer demonstrators than on Bush's previous visits.

More:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/jun/12/georgebush.italy

[paparush]

4. Bush - Twiddling his thumbs while Kucinich's Impeachment Measures are being voted on.