Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Italy: Police show moment of solidarity amidst "Pitchfork" protests
Thousands of demonstrators took to Italy's streets on Monday and Tuesday to demand reform to the country's struggling economy, from the job market to taxes and the Euro. The protests started on Monday, as truck drivers reportedly blocked roads by driving slowly, and train traffic was delayed by protesters blocking the tracks. On Tuesday, protests continued in public squares and outside government buildings.
The so-called "Pitchfork" movement, known as "Movimento dei Forconi" in Italian, started with Sicilian farmers originally concerned about rising taxes. Monday's protesters were diverse, including farmers, truck drivers, the unemployed, pensioners, and small-business owners.
Beppe Grillo, leader of the anti-establishment Five-Star Movement, announced his support for the movement on Tuesday. Grillo urged police officers to join the protests in an open letter published on his popular blog.
http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201312102112-0023241
The so-called "Pitchfork" movement, known as "Movimento dei Forconi" in Italian, started with Sicilian farmers originally concerned about rising taxes. Monday's protesters were diverse, including farmers, truck drivers, the unemployed, pensioners, and small-business owners.
Beppe Grillo, leader of the anti-establishment Five-Star Movement, announced his support for the movement on Tuesday. Grillo urged police officers to join the protests in an open letter published on his popular blog.
Then...
In the early afternoon, something curious happened. After the clashes, demonstrators in Turin challenged the police officers to take off their helmets and lay down their shields. ‘You are underpaid. You are with us!’ someone shouted through a megaphone.
The commander in the field was the first to comply. After that, the others followed suit. The crowd reacted with a wave of cheers. A similar gesture of solidarity from the side of police occurred in Genoa and Bolzano. Spontaneous acts of fraternization with police were recorded in other parts of the country as well.
http://postvirtual.wordpress.com/2013/12/10/forks-and-torches/
The commander in the field was the first to comply. After that, the others followed suit. The crowd reacted with a wave of cheers. A similar gesture of solidarity from the side of police occurred in Genoa and Bolzano. Spontaneous acts of fraternization with police were recorded in other parts of the country as well.