Thousands in march against Berlusconi
By Bruce Johnston in Rome
(Filed: 04/03/2002)


HUNDREDS of thousands of Italians took to the streets of Rome at the weekend to protest against prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Organisers claimed the march was at least 500,000-strong. Government figures put the numbers at 120,000.


A supporter from the Olive Tree coalition wears a Pinocchio nose to mock Silvio Berlusconi
Protesters sported Pinocchio noses mocking the conservative prime minister and media baron, who is being tried for corruption, or waved banners calling him a liar. Others called on Italy to "wake up."

Piero Fassino, head of the Left Democrats, the largest party in the Centre-Left opposition humiliated in national elections last May, said: "We are here to protest peacefully against the man who thinks and acts like the owner of this country."

A larger demonstration is scheduled for March 23 and Italy's largest trades union, CGIL, is planning a general strike later this month.

12 February 2002: Fascists claim poll pact with Berlusconi
19 January 2002: Is Mr Berlusconi attending? I hope not, says Paris minister
13 January 2002: Brussels horror as Berlusconi fills in as foreign minister
12 January 2002: Berlusconi trial starts as judge is confirmed
4 October 2001: Corruption uproar in Rome
5 May 2001: Scandals fail to halt Berlusconi bandwagon


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External links

Silvio Berlusconi - Governo Italiano [in Italian]

Berlusconi a Bossi: 'Uniti saremo invincibili' [3 Mar '02] - La Repubblica













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