Italians protest: Yankees OUT!

[babylonsister]

Feel that love and goodwill towards the US oozing?

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=9223

Tens of thousands in Italy protest expansion of U.S. military base

Plan would increase military presence at Ederle base to 5,000

Associated Press

Tens of thousands of people marched through the northeastern Italian city of Vicenza under heavy police guard yesterday to protest a planned expansion of a U.S. military base.

Despite fears that violent demonstrators would be drawn to the protest, the march took place without incident, finishing outside the main train station where it started, as hundreds of police officers stood guard and helicopters hovered overhead. The route did not pass the airfield where the expanded base is to be built, where critics keep a permanent picket.

"The government majority - whether they agree with the protest or, like me, do not - welcomes that the demonstration in Vicenza finished in an orderly fashion," said Premier Romano Prodi, who had urged protesters to be peaceful. "This must be stressed."

Police estimated the crowd at 50,000 to 80,000, while organizers put the numbers at 120,000.

"To build a military base is not the gesture of a peaceful government," said Simone Pasin, 24, a resident of the city, who was draped in a rainbow peace flag. "I think it's time to dismantle military bases and put up structures of peace."

more...

[Downtown Hound]

1. I guess they're still pissed about that whole killing 20 people on a ski lift

incident. Some countries just get really testy when you kill their people you know?

[Sal Minella]

2. Yeah, like Sgrena and the SuperSecurity guy who died after we shot them in Iraq....

some people just hold such a grudge.

[Goat or Panic]

3. I lived in Vicenza from '77-'80

(military brat.)
Beautiful city and very friendly people, always flashing peace signs and in love with American culture.
Sad to see how things have changed.
Thanks George Bush.