On a hot summer afternoon in Genoa, strings, horns and pipes played the tune
"Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2, to a crowd of fifteen thousand gathered in
Piazza Alimonda to mark the second anniversary of the Genoa's "Bloody
Sunday": when Carlo Guiliano was brutally murdered at the Genoa G8 protests
in 2001 by the Italian Carabinieri.

The demonstration, that immediately followed the rally, on Sunday July 20
2003, did not just mourn the loss of this bright, brave young man, but
looked forward to carry the spirit of his life into the global social
movements that are actively seeking change - a transformation to a better
world, an alternative, truly, democratic globalisation.

Members of groups from the whole spectrum of progressive groups that make up
the global anti-neo-liberalist movement in Italy and from further a field,
marched together; this including a small black bloc. We were comforted by
unity and defiance, and the continued strengthening of the movement, which
despite being ignored and denigrated by the bourgeois.

The British presence was highly visible with the big, bright orange banners
of Globalise Resistance who like many had tape across their mouths to make
their protest in silence as a sign of respect - but which also symbolised
how it is our enemies try to silence the voice of the our movement.

But they haven not silenced the spirit of Carlo, who will come back to haunt
them.

When the Caribinieri provocatively showed their faces - large numbers of
them were hidden away in the ancient streets of Genova - they were defiantly
given the double and single finger.

The Grand and wonderful concert that took place after the demonstration in
Piazza del Mare, of music with a political message, included an eclectic
mix of leading Italian folk, indie, rock, and ska - many of which are Genoa
based.

Masses of youth, waving communist, anarchist and socialist banners - and a
few mature old souls like me - danced and sang the night away, bringing to a
close what was a great day.



The words to "Sunday Bloody Sunday" state: " How long, how long has this
been going on? .... Too long." summed up how patience with the evil - the
three stooges of the neo-conservative (almost facist) thugs: Cowboy Bush,
Poodle Blair and Idiot Berlusconi, and the brutality and barbarism of
neo-liberalism - have run out.. The band leaders rallied the audience with
this message.


However, the hope was tinged with not a little sadness and feeling of loss,
that some of our brightest and best fighters like Carlo, for whom we were
singing and dancing - will not experience the better world that those
present are now more determined to facilitate.

Many at this day of commemoration now look forward to what looks like being
a landmark event in the Global Social Movement - the Paris ESF, in November.
There are many associated events that are taking place around Europe during
the summer and autumn in the build up, If the spirit of Carlo, and that of
the celebration of the second anniversary of his death is carried forward -
this movement will be unstoppable.


Genova 22.7.2003