'Pitchfork' protests spread across Italy in advance of confidence vote

[BelgianMadCow]

Source: UPI

ROME, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Protests of the so-called "Pitchfork Movement" spread across Italy Wednesday as demonstrations against tax hikes driven by austerity measures gained ground.

Protest leaders threatened a large-scale demonstration in Rome if members of parliament did not withhold their votes from a confidence measure, ANSA reported.

In the third day of anti-government demonstrations, protesters in Turin blocked traffic while other protests around the city shut down food markets and other businesses.

Protesters in Genoa occupied the central square, while a large crowd gathered outside an office of the national tax collection agency in nearby Savona.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/12/11/Pitchfork-protests-spread-across-Italy-in-advance-of-confidence-vote/UPI-47511386775107/

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Protests have been going on for three days, totally underreported in mainstream media here in Europe - whilst the protests in Ukraine are plastered all over. Democracy is important, except at home?

Video of riot police taking off their helmets in solidarity in the Video & Multimedia forum here.

[DeSwiss]

1. It's beginning to unravel......

- K&R

[center]
''The people united shall never be defeated.''[/center]

[pampango]

2. Reuters: Italy's Grillo urges police to join "pitchfork" protests

The head of Italy's anti-establishment 5-Star Movement Beppe Grillo urged police on Tuesday to join protesters as a wave of "pitchfork" protests gave vent to bitter frustration after years of austerity and recession.

The "pitchfork movement", originally a loosely organized group of farmers from Sicily, has been joined by other protestors including truckers, small businessmen, the unemployed, low-paid workers and others who have staged rallies in cities from Turin in the north to Sicily in the south.

Grillo, whose movement has no direct connection with the protests, welcomed reports that several police officers took off their riot helmets and expressed sympathy with demonstrators on Monday.

Italian media reported that the "pitchfork movement" was backed by political groups including the hard-right Forza Nuova party but organizers denied any political links.

(Prime Minister Enrico) Letta has warned repeatedly that opposition to the government and the EU is growing strongly, fuelled by sacrifices needed to keep public finances in order and which could result in a massive anti-EU vote in next year's European parliamentary elections.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/10/us-italy-protests-idUSBRE9B90UY20131210

Italy: ‘Pitchfork protesters’ disrupt road and rail travel in protest at state of economy

Thousands of farmers, lorry drivers, pensioners and unemployed people have taken to the streets in Italy as part of a series of protests against the government and the European Union.

Demonstrators stopped train services by walking on the tracks while striking lorry drivers disrupted traffic by driving slowly and blocking roads.

The ‘Pitchfork Movement’ as it is known was originally a group of Sicilian farmers pushing for more help from the government but has grown into a wider movement.

Demonstrators are angry about a range of issues including globalisation, taxes, fuel prices and the euro.

http://www.euronews.com/2013/12/09/italy-pitchfork-protesters-disrupt-road-and-rail-travel-in-protest-at-state-of-/

There is video of the protest at the link.

[BelgianMadCow]

4. Thanks for the addition

given the 30% I believe Grillo's M5S got in the last elections, and his very influential blog, what he says & does has impact.

The protest is still nowhere to be seen in MSM here.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Reuters have got it

Italian police fire tear gas as thousands stage "Pitchfork Protest" http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/09/us-italy-protests-idUSBRE9B80KC20131209

Italy's Grillo urges police to join "pitchfork" protests http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/10/us-italy-protests-idUSBRE9B90UY20131210