A contribution from Simona Coviello
Siena Italy 18.10.2002
Around 100,000 people demonstrated in Milan in April this year to
commemorate liberation from the fascist government during the Second World War. There were
200 May Day protests across Italy this year, and at a concert in Rome 800,000 people
gathered to hear popular left wing bands. Even before the election trade union leaders
threatened a "hot summer" if Berlusconi's attacks on job security and wages go
through.
And only last week thousands of metal workers in Turin struck and 10,000 people marched in
solidarity with a worker who suffered an industrial injury. Struggles like this will be
needed to stop attacks from Italy's new hard right government. |