Grazie! Thank you!

Avete dato un contributo molto importante a questo progetto di ricerca accademica sulle proteste dei movimenti sociali. Vi ringrazio di cuore per il vostro tempo e vi faccio i migliori auguri per i vostri sforzi nel tentativo di realizzare un cambiamento sociale, politico ed economico.

Protesters March on L’Aquila as G8 ends

Protesters have been keeping up the pressure on the G8, marching on the summit venue in their thousands. Trade unions and anti-globalisation activists hit the road alongside local people still suffering after April’s earthquake. The rally taps into frustrations over the slow progress of reconstruction following the quake that killed nearly 300 people and left tens of thousands homeless.

“We want to go to L’Aquila, making a peaceful and communicative demonstration, side by side with the local population,” said one protester. Another added: “I am from South Tyrol and I am here to contest against the arrogance… globalization…G8 states who don’t respect the small developing countries.”

Tight security surrounded the protest amid fears things could get out of hand. During the last G8 summit organised by Italy in 2001, clashes left one demonstrator dead.

Available from: http://www.euronews.net/2009/07/10/protesters-march-on-l-aquila-as-g8-ends/

Greenpeace Activists Take Over Power Plants, Rushmore in G8 Protest

Dozens of Greenpeace activists took a stand for climate action this morning, starting in Italy, where they occupied four coal-fired power plants.

In the United States, several more climbers made a bold statement from the face of Mount Rushmore with a sign as long as Lincoln's face reading:

"Americans honor leaders, not politicians. Stop global warming."

The message from both sides of the Atlantic to the public and to the presidents, prime ministers and other heads of state meeting today for the Group of Eight summit in L’Aquila, Italy, was clear: The world needs decisive leadership to stop climate change.

Climate activists have reason to pour on the pressure. The world’s most-polluting nations had talked about a goal of halving emissions by 2050, but those numbers are nowhere in the latest draft G8 statement because of opposition from China and India, Reuters reports.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made his position clear in a statement before the meeting: “What we are witnessing today is the consequence of over two centuries of industrial activity and high-consumption lifestyles in the developed world. They have to bear this historical responsibility.”

Outside Venice, 15 Greenpeace activists climbed a 160-meter-tall power plant stack and cranes to hang banners reading: “G8 - Take Climate Leadership” and “Energy Revolution = Clean Jobs”.

"There is no more time to waste," British activist Ben Stewart said from the top of the smokestack. "The G8 leaders must stop putting the interests of big coal and other climate-polluting industries ahead of the planet and take strong, decisive leadership on climate change."

Greenpeace is calling on the G8 leaders to agree to keep the global temperature increase below 2 degrees Celsius, ensure that global emissions peak by 2015, commit to cutting emissions 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, invest $106 billion in adaptation and mitigation in developing countries, and establish a fund to stop deforestation in the Amazon, Congo Basin and Indonesia by 2015.

The emissions goal, based on the recommendations of the IPCC, is far higher than what the U.S. Congress and President Obama are proposing, which is one reason Greenpeace came out against the American Clean Energy and Security (ACES) bill that squeaked through the U.S. House last month.

In the U.S., Greenpeace climbers began rappelling down Abraham Lincoln's forehead this morning at Mount Rushmore with their banner in a statement meant to challenge President Obama to greatness on global warming.

"If the rest of the G8 descends to President Obama's stated goal of returning emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, then our children will inherit a world of droughts, famines and the climate catastrophe that scientists are warning us about,” Greenpeace USA Executive Director Phil Radford said from L’Aquila.

"The G8 heads of state must break the deadlock in the climate negotiations and stop blaming developing countries for their own inadequate climate policies."

UPDATE: Eleven protesters were arrested at Mount Rushmore on charges of illegal climbing and trespassing. In Italy, the coal plant protesters were still going as night fell. One wrote on Twitter: "Goodnight from the top of Italy's worst coal power plant, Brindisi, occupied for 20 hours so far."

Available from: http://solveclimate.com/blog/20090708/greenpeace-activists-take-over-power-plants-rushmore-g8-protest

G8 blockade July 7

More photos available from UK Indymedia:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/07/433983.html

Bus: 10 Luglio 9:30 (Roma-->L'Aquila)

COBAS DI ROMA: 06.70452452

Greenpeace occupies 4 Italian coal-fired power stations, demanding G8 climate leadership

View the Greenpeace live news feed:
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/climate-change/G8action

Rome, Italy — As the leaders of the world’s most powerful nations arrived at the G8 Summit today, over 100 Greenpeace activists from around the world have occupied four coal-fired power stations across Italy, demanding the G8 Heads of State take leadership on climate change.

In the early hours of this morning, the activists, from 18 countries, occupied coal conveyors and climbed smokestacks and cranes on the four power stations in Brindisi, Marghera (just outside of Venice), at Vado Ligure, (near Genoa) and at an old oil plant at Porto Tolle, (set to be re-opened as an experimental so-called “clean coal” power plant.) Coal is the worst climate pollutant of all fossil fuels.

The Brindisi plant is Italy’s biggest coal-fired power station and the country’s largest single source of C02 emissions. Greenpeace plans to stop it from polluting by blocking the coal conveyor belts and preventing coal from going into the plant.

“Politicians talk but leaders act” said UK activist Ben Stewart from the top of the 160m high chimney at the Marghera plant. “There is no more time to waste. The G8 leaders must stop putting the interests of big coal and other climate polluting industries ahead of the planet and take strong, decisive leadership on climate change. That means deep cuts in emissions by 2020, investing in adaption and mitigation in the developing world and halting tropical deforestation.”

Stewart is one of the Kingsnorth Six climate activists who were acquitted of criminal damage after painting the chimney there.

Greenpeace has established the urgent criteria that G8 leaders must agree to:
* keep global temperature rise as far below a 2°C increase as possible, compared to pre-industrial levels, to avert catastrophic climate change.
* ensure that global emissions peak by 2015 and be as close to zero as possible by 2050;
* commit, as a group, to cut emissions by at least 40% by 2020, on 1990 levels;
* invest US$106 billion (€74 billion) of the US$140 billion needed annually for developing countries to adapt to and take action on climate change and to finance forest protection;
* immediately commit to the establishment of a funding mechanism to stop deforestation and associated emissions in all developing countries by 2020, and achieve zero deforestation in the Amazon, Congo Basin and Indonesia by 2015.

“The G8 heads of state must break the deadlock in the climate negotiations and stop blaming developing countries for their own inadequate climate policies. This is an opportunity for them to take personal responsibility and show that they are real leaders - who act - and not just politicians full of hot air,” said Phil Radford, Greenpeace US Executive Director, from the L’Aquila meeting.

“If the rest of the G8 descends to President Obama’s stated goal of returning emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 then our children will inherit a world of droughts, famines and the climate catastrophe scientists are warning us about.”

Available from: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/releases/greenpeace-occupies-4-italian#

No global "Processions, blitz and actions of trouble"

Will Leave from the station of Paganica the gear of the committees No global against the G8. The protest meeting will take place in L'AQUILA July 10. It will touch the places symbol of the earthquake. It will pass near the tent city of Onna, it Moderates, San Gregorio, Sant' Elijah, to continue verse Bazzano, next to the first site of the "plan of reconstruction" wanted from the Government, to conclude itself to the entrance of the historic city center. And it is not excluded that to the show aquilana participate also representatives of the "Block G8 2009" provenenti from different parts of the Europe.

This was decided, yesterday, during the national assembly of the Net of the Committees “NoG8" carried out in L'AQUILA. But the "red zone" (the forbidden area set ut to defend the international summit) will not be violated - at least to how much decided until yesterday - also the town earthquake victims will not be the only protagonists of the "three days of the anger" organized by the international net anti-G8....

Finally, July 10, will take place the conclusive show, where will participate almost all of the committees of the net “NoG8". To this last event will be not present, instead, some motions aquilani. Yesterday, during the assembly, the discussion on the opportunity of the gear, is enlivened itself until to reach moments of tension.

To oppose some Abruzzi committees and above all the motion 3e32, promoter of the action of protest in Rome (in front Montecitorio), against the decree of the government for the reconstruction.

"A bulky national show against the G8 to L'AQUILA risk to to be used by those those who wants to block the fair reasons to protest of the earthquake victims - explains Mattia Chaffs of the motion 3e32 - we will Not adhere, but however we respect the will of the other committees, that however plan to carry out fair struggles, which are not at the basis of the" No to the G8"" Net.

On the other side, some committees (among which Net Bell, Cobas, Revolutionary Socialism, Pact of the Basis, Democratic Medicine, I Garrison Italian, Net of the Communist, University Union, Democratic Lawyers) oppose :

"We should not fall into the trap of not protesting against this summit, only because it will take place in L'AQUILA - Vincenzo explains Miliucci of the Cobas - we should hold together the reasons of the earthquake victims with the right of to demonstrate against those little that decide above our heads and on our back. A final and unitary demonstration is necessary and fundamental".

Available from: http://www.gipfelsoli.org/Home/L_Aquila_2009/G8_2009_english/7323.html

G8 protesters arrested in Rome

Article from: Agence France-Presse

Italian police hae made around 40 arrests as portests against the upcoming G8 summit saw demonstrators hurl bottles and set fire to tires on the streets of Rome, officials and witnesses said.

The flare-up in violence came outside the University of Rome today where protesters, some of whom were masked or hooded, chucked bottles and stones towards police vehicles as several dozen riot squad officers gathered.

"Everything that should have been done to ensure the security of the G8 has been done," Italy's Interior Minister Roberto Maroni said. "We will be attentive and we will be careful to ensure freedom of expression, but if someone is thinking of bringing sticks or ballbearings to demonstrations, we will do everything to prevent them," warned the minister.

According to a police spokesman, a total of 36 people, including 27 Italians, were arrested in Rome during the course of the morning. Among the others arrested were four Swedes, two Germans and nationals from Switzerland, France and Poland and a number of weapons, including baseball bats, were seized.

Watched by a heavy police presence, around 500 demonstrators filed peacefully through the city in a second demonstration today after gathering close to the United States embassy. "Everybody has the right to protest, to make their voice heard, provided they do so in accordance with the law," said Gianni Alemanno, the mayor of Rome.

Police also stopped five French nationals, aged between 25 and 35, close to the summit venue in the city of L'Aquila who were found with several clubs. The group were briefly detained for possessing weapons but were later released.

Around 15,000 police have been mobilised to provide security during the three-day summit which begins tomorrow in L'Aquila, a city around two hours' drive from Rome which was devastated by an earthquake in April. As well as leaders from the Group of Eight major industrialised nations, around 20 other heads of state will also be attending.

The conduct of the Italian police will be under close scrutiny with memories still raw over the fatal shooting of a demonstrator at Genoa in 2001 when Italy last hosted the G8 leaders.

Available from: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25750263-12335,00.html

Piazza Barberini to Rebubblica

G8: Roma, sgomberata Termini

(ANSA) - ROMA, 7 LUG - Otto arresti, una inchiesta della procura di Roma sui disordini, un tentativo di occupazione dei binari alla stazione Termini. E' questo il bilancio della giornata romana dei No G8 culminata con la manifestazione a piazza Barberini. In serata le proteste si sono spostate alla stazione Termini,sgomberata dalla polizia.Una giornata cominciata con le 'azioni di disturbo' nella capitale. E la procura di Roma ora procede per danneggiamento, violenza e resistenza a pubblico ufficiale.
Available from: http://www.ansa.it/site/notizie/awnplus/ticker/news/2009-07-07_107393637.html

36 Arrested at Protest Against G8 in Rome

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ROME (AP) -- Police arrested 38 activists Tuesday during clashes at protests in Rome against this week's Group of Eight summit in central Italy.

At one impromptu demonstration early in the day, protesters with covered faces and helmets blocked roads and set fire to garbage bins and tires near one of the capital's universities.

Of 36 people taken in for questioning from that rally, 11 were detained on various charges, including a citizen each from France, Poland and Germany, said police spokesman Vittorugo Caggiano. He said the rest would be released later Tuesday.

As night fell, some fifty demonstrators blocked tracks at Rome's main train station, hurling stones at police in anti-riot gear. Caggiano said two protesters, a Spaniard and a German, were taken in as police dispersed the crowd.

Separately, police in the city of L'Aquila seized a baseball bat and metal bars from the car of five French protesters. They were not arrested.

Several protests have been planned in Rome and L'Aquila, which will host the Wednesday-to-Friday summit. L'Aquila was chosen to highlight the city's devastation after the it was hit by an earthquake in April.

Also on Tuesday, far-left groups held a peaceful protest in Rome's historic Piazza Barberini, just below the glitzy Via Veneto, where the U.S. Embassy and several luxury hotels hosting foreign delegates are located.

Hundreds of people faced a heavy police contingent beating drums and holding up banners, including one that read: ''The G-8: A new quake for L'Aquila.'' One protester poured red paint on the cobblestones, shouting that it symbolized the ''blood of the workers.''

The largest demonstration of the week is scheduled for Friday in L'Aquila. Anti-globalization groups have also vowed to hold impromptu protests across Italy.

Available from: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2009/07/07/world/AP-G8-Summit-Protests.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=print

Press the G8

This poster and similar images are posted in metro stops all over Rome. The group responsible, Global Call to Action Against Poverty or "GCAP," is a growing alliance of trade unions, community groups, faith groups, women and youth organisations, NGOs and other campaigners working together across more than 100 national platforms. GCAP is calling for action from the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty and inequality. In particular, we demand solutions that address the issues of public accountability, trade justice, increase in quantity/quality of development aid, and dept cancellation.

To play their interactive game and a petition, go to: http://www.whiteband.org/action/presstheg8/

Anti-G8 Protests

The G8 summit, to be held in L'Aquila from 8-10 July, is set to trigger a series of protests countrywide.

On 7 July, the confederation of grass-roots workers’ committees COBAS has organised a sit-in in Piazza Barberini near the United States embassy from 17.00 in conjunction with the communist parties and Rome’s centres of social activism (centri sociali). The organisers say they will place a large poster of each of the G8 leaders at the start of the eight roads leading onto the square. If the turn out is good enough they will also ask for authorisation to march away from the square, possibly towards the finance ministry in Via XX Settembre.

Then on 10 July, after the G8 summit has officially finished, COBAS is organising a march from the train station in the Abruzzo village of Paganica near the epicentre of the 6 April earthquake to L’Aquila around six kilometres away. The confederation says it has full authorisation for the protest march, which is due to begin around 10.00 and will also see participation from communist parties and social activism centres.

Other protests could be held in the capital and all over the country during the summit on 8-9 July.

The American embassy is advising US nationals to avoid the areas where the protests are taking place due to anti-American sentiment partly caused by the planned expansion of the military base in Vicenza, which caused protests in northern Italy on 4 July.

The tight security measures being implemented for the arrival of the G8 leaders, their spouses and delegations will cause other inconveniences such as road blocks and a significant police presence. Trials of “jammer” instruments which block telecommunications could also cause problems with mobile phones (interference, lack of signal, etc.) and credit card payments. Police say that every effort will be made to minimise the impact of the measures on the population.

Accessed from: http://www.wantedinrome.com/news/news.php?id_n=6017

Piazza Barberini, Roma, Italia

Protest scheduled for Tuesday, July 7 4pm-9pm!

G8, domani l'Onda in piazza Berberini

di Laura Mari

Domani sit-in con l´Onda a piazza Barberini, poi i blitz per bloccare le strade. Vertice dei Grandi a L´Aquila, anche per la capitale una settimana di passione. L´8 luglio pranzo sulla Terrazza Caffarelli con le first lady

Otto anni dopo Genova, le proteste contro il G8 de L´Aquila partiranno da Roma. Se lo slogan dei no-global nel 2001 era «Not in my name», i manifestanti di adesso faranno sentire l´urlo «Noi la crisi non la paghiamo».

Per rallentare gli spostamenti delle delegazioni (tra oggi e domani arriveranno 29 capi di Stato e 40 delegazioni) la rete anti-G8 ha annunciato per la giornata di domani e di mercoledì «iniziative di blocco della circolazione e della mobilità in tutte le strade della capitale». Martedì gli studenti dell´Onda e i centri sociali daranno vita a una prima serie di blitz. Sempre domani, alle 17, a piazza Barberini, a pochi metri di distanza dall´ambasciata Usa di via Veneto e dagli alberghi in cui saranno ospitate le delegazioni, ci sarà un sit-in di protesta con centri sociali, movimenti di lotta per la casa, precari, studenti dell´Onda e migranti.

Alle 16, invece, manifestazione davanti al ministero del Lavoro. I sindacati del Patto di Base hanno indetto lo sciopero del trasporto pubblico. Deviazioni e chiusure stradali intorno a via Veneto, ma anche ai Parioli nelle vicinanze di Villa Taverna (residenza dell´ambasciatore americano) e nei pressi del Vaticano, dove le first-lady mercoledì mattina saranno ricevute da Papa Benedetto XVI. Mercoledì alle 13.30, le first-lady saranno accolte dal sindaco Gianni Alemanno e dalla moglie Isabella Rauti nella Terrazza Caffarelli per un pranzo preparato da Heinz Beck. Sicura la presenza di Michelle Obama. Giovedì alle 16 «assedio sonoro di protesta» davanti al Cie di Ponte Galeria.

L'Istituto superiore di Polizia, che potrebbe ospitare il summit in caso di scosse importanti nell'aquilano, ha sede in via Pier della Francesca, nel quartiere Flaminio. E' preposto alla formazione, specializzazione ed aggiornamento professionale dei funzionari della Polizia di Stato, nonchè alla formazione dei funzionari del Corpo Forestale dello Stato.

Available from: http://roma.repubblica.it/dettaglio/g8-domani-londa-in-piazza-barberini/1667570

Embassy Issues Alert for Americans During Summit

(ANSA) - Rome, July 3 - The United States embassy in Rome has alerted Americans living in and visiting Italy to be "especially attentive and alert" during the period from the July 4th Independence Day celebrations through the July 8-10 Group of Eight summit in L`Aquila. In a "Warden Message" the embassy said that "several demonstrations are planned over the next ten days that may affect US interests or those of the G8 countries." These include "a large demonstration" on July 4 at the US military base in Vicenza, against expanding the Dal Molin
airport facility to house American troops, and the embassy said "American citizens should avoid the area around Vicenza for the period July 3-5." The embassy did not mention that the protest has been organized by nonviolent activists, as it does other protests over the next ten days.

These included a torchlight walk the night between July 5 and 6 through the center of L'Aquila from 24.00hrs to 03.32hrs, the latter being the time of the powerful April 6 earthquake in the capital of the Abruzzo region. On July 7, there will be a large demonstration in Piazza Barberini, down the hill from the US embassy, where several hundred people are expected to "welcome" G-8 leaders with loud music organized by the grass roots and independent unions.

The embassy also said that the Italian news media has reported that some unspecified groups may attempt random protests in central Rome July 8 and 9. There may also be another demonstration in L'Aquila July 10, after the G8 is over, the embassy said.

Available from: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/node/6515

10 Luglio: Stacioni Paganica (L'Aquila)

La marcia del 10 di luglio a L'Aquila iniziera' alle 14:00 dalla stazione FS Paganica -- notizia da CLBAS, CUB, SDL.

The July 10th march with start at 2pm from the train station in L'Aquila (Paganica)-- news from labor unions COBAS, CUB, SDL.

ARTICOLO/ARTICLE

Vicenza, scontri al corteo dei No dal Molin

4 Luglio, 2009 (Vicenza, Italia)

VIDEO (July 4 G8 protests in Vicenza, Italia)

Il corteo della manifestazione organizzata dai No dal Molin contro il raddoppio della base Usa a sta provando a rincamminarsi per percorrere il tragitto attorno all'ex aeroporto Dal Molin dove sorgerà la nuova base Usa. Dopo l'interruzione dovuta a tafferugli e al lancio di fumogeni, alla testa del corteo le donne del presidio permanente con Cinzia Bottene dietro allo striscione No Dal Molin. Il corteo sta avanzando seguito da un serpentone di gente e di rappresentanti delle tre anime della manifestazione, dagli striscioni arcobaleno della pace, da quelli di Rifondazione comunista e da quelle di varie associazioni del terzo settore, tra cui ci sono anche i giovani di L'Aquila con i cartelli 'G8 L'Aquila'. Il corteo ha potuto riprendere grazie alla mediazione raggiunta tra il presidio permanente e le forze dell'ordine. I tafferugli hanno dunque riguardato l'inizio del corteo: mentre gli organizzatori discutevano con la polizia per la partenza, ci sono stati lanci di sassi da parte di alcuni manifestanti, alcuni giovani indossavano la maschera antigas e d erano incappucciati. Le forze dell'ordine hanno risposto con lanci di fumogeni.

Accessed from: http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/SoleOnLine4/Italia/2009/07/vicenza-corteo-noglobal.shtml?uuid=f713babe-68b5-11de-85fc-5bd22e3acaa2&DocRulesView=Libero

Arial photos of L'Aquila

FOTOS/PHOTOS
These help to give a sense of the earthquake destruction and resulting refugee tent camps.

"Italy anti-G8 protest turns violent"

Police fired teargas to prevent protesters from reaching a US military base in Vicenza [AFP] Note: We did not survey at this protest because of its distance from our team's base in Rome. Thousands of protesters have clashed with Italian police in the first big protest against the upcoming G8 summit of the world's richest nations in Italy next week. Police in riot gear fired teargas at protesters on Saturday to prevent them from crossing a bridge and moving closer to a controversial US military base in the northeastern city of Vicenza. A group of demonstrators, some of them wearing motorcycle helmets and with their faces covered, threw bottles, rocks and lit firecrackers before they were pushed back by security forces. Protesters were later allowed to continue their march, which broke up peacefully in the early evening. There were no reports of injuries. Several thousand people attended the demonstration, launched against expansion plans that would make the US base one of the biggest in Europe, and more generally against the July 8-10 G8 summit, which Italy chairs. "We are sick of the powerful governing without consulting the people," said Martina Vultaggio, 29, one of the protest organisers. The leaders of the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain, Italy, Canada and Russia, together with those of major emerging economies, will hold talks in the central city of L'Aquila focusing on the state of the world economy, financial regulation, climate change, trade and development. More protests planned Anti-capitalist protesters have planned a series of demonstrations at different sites, starting with the one in Vicenza, where locals oppose the doubling of the size of the US base, home to 3,000 soldiers of the 173 Airborne Brigade. Opponents contend the base poses a threat to ground water, is dangerous for residents and for Vicenza's historic centre, a treasure of Renaissance architecture. The protesters had vowed to march about 3.5km to the construction site, which was sealed off by local authorities, and plant flags with anti-base slogans. Around 1,000 police were deployed on Saturday along the route. Violence marred a G8 summit hosted by Italy in Genoa in 2001, when a protester was killed and scores of others were beaten up by police. Accessed from: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2009/07/200974203952423988.html

L’Aquila prepares for G8 summit

Euronews video clip with arial footage of L'Aquila and interviews (1min 35 sec):

http://www.euronews.net/2009/07/03/l-aquila-prepares-for-g8-summit/

Italian officials prepare for summit

"Workers give a final touch ouside the "Guardia di Finanza" financial police headquarters in the outskirts of L'Aquila on July 2, 2009. The G8 summit which will take place from July 8 to 10, 2009 was moved from La Maddalena on the island of Sardinia to L'Aquila."

Available from: http://www.canada.com/news/Demonstrators+gather+protest+Italy/1760302/story.html

"From Rome, looking at L'Aquila and the World - call for actions in Rome, 7th and 8th July"

Published on A-Infos: a multi-lingual news service by, for, and about anarchists

On the first of June a national meeting in L'Aquila launched a call-out for realizing an “extended mobilization” in the name of “radicality”against the G8. On june 21st, a following meeting drew up a calendar. Into this frame, the No-G8 network of Rome - a convergence of different movements of social struggle that organized the March and May actions reported above - proposes a “Welcoming Day for the Mighty of the Planet” on July the 7th, when the international deputations will pass through the italian capital. Moreover, the No-G8 network proposes to practice a “Map of the crisis”, through actions carried out by affinity groups. A “Map of the crisis” based on the one sperimented in London during the G20: decentralized actions in different cities during the days of the summit - in Italy, in Europe and in the countries belonging to the “Club of the Mighty”.

Available from: http://www.ainfos.ca/en/ainfos22867.html

Plans for protest announced

Slowly, organizers are releasing dates and locations of their anti-G8 protests.

This ad calls for an international demonstration on July 10th in L'Aquila.

No! G8 2009

Activists in Italy are preparing for a week of protests in Rome and L'Aquila.

G8 slows earthquake relief

EXCERPT FROM: Anger boils among Italy quake refugees two months on
by Gina Doggett

L'AQUILA, Italy, June 4, 2009 (AFP) - Two months after an earthquake devastated L'Aquila in central Italy, resentment is beginning to boil over for the some 58,000 refugees from the disaster as reconstruction work stalls. Some 600 people, many wearing hard hats or bicycle helmets, crossed police lines to march into L'Aquila at the weekend under the slogan "Let's Take Back Our City," which remains an inaccessible "red zone" too dangerous for habitation. The protest defied a ban on demonstrations or assembly among the residents of the 180 tent camps dotted around the area, announced last Thursday.... Only civil protection officers and builders or authorised private contractors are allowed in the city, apart from the occasional team of accredited journalists.

In a surprise announcement three weeks after the earthquake, Berlusconi said this year's Group of Eight summit in July will be held at a military academy just outside L'Aquila to "show solidarity" with the earthquake victims. The summit was originally to be held on the Sardinian island of La Maddalena, with meetings to take place on a luxury cruise liner. Berlusconi said staging the meeting at La Maddalena would have cost some 220 million euros (300 million dollars), money that could be better spent on rebuilding the L'Aquila region. The training school of Italy's militarised revenue guard, the Guardia di Finanza, is a sprawl of drab, grey buildings including barracks where the G8 delegations will be billeted.

Yuri Pittaluga, a civil protection press officer, said the decision to hold the G8 summit at the military academy "has meant major interference" in post-quake reconstruction planning. The academy has served as the headquarters for some 1,000 firefighters, Red Cross workers and volunteers and soldiers dealing with the aftermath of the quake.

Copyright (c) 2009 Agence France Presse
Available from http://reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/MWAI-7SQ523?OpenDocument

Location of the 2009 G8 meeting

From the G8 Summit website:

"The Italian Government has decided to move the G8 Summit venue from La Maddalena to L’Aquila, the city symbolising the earthquake that hit Abruzzo on 6 April.

The Guardia di Finanza Non-Commissioned Officers’ School is the venue for an austere G8 increasingly alive to the issues of natural calamity-related risk prevention, aversion and management.

The School complex, already dubbed “Guardia di Finanza City” is located on the outskirts of L’Aquila, in the Coppito district, and since 6 April, after verifying its safety, it houses the Civil Protection Department’s Di.coma.c, or Direzione di Comando e Controllo of the Civil Protection System, which is coordinating emergency work in the wake of the earthquake. Since mid-April, the college also houses the institutions that lost their premises on account of the earthquake.

The college takes in 3,500 non-Commissioned officer cadets every two years. Building began in 1986, the first lot, comprising about 700,000 cubic metres, being completed over the subsequent six years.

The college’s perimeter wall, which is over 2 km long, encloses about 45 hectares of hilly ground, where the headquarters offices, the parade ground, the auditorium, the sports facilities, the cadets’ quarters and the multi-purpose unit are laid out. The classrooms and mess are located behind the cadets’ quarters, linked by raised walkways with arched glass roofs. The upper part is home to the permanent staff’s quarters, the infirmary, the vehicle fleet and the technology control rooms. Last but not least, the top of the hill features a helipad equipped for both day-and night-time take-off and landing.

Other facilities for the college’s exclusive use are located outside the perimeter wall, as is a car park capable of accommodating a thousand or so vehicles in an area of about 4,000 square metres.

Since the Cabinet meeting held on 23 April, which set the seal on the G8 Summit’s move right there in the college command room, officials and technical experts have been at work to ensure that the Guardia di Finanza campus will be able to play host to the foreign delegations from 8 to 10 July."

Available from: http://www.g8italia2009.it/G8/Home/G8-G8_Layout_locale-1199882116809_LaNuovaSede.htm