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Fight & Chaos: First video of 'Occupy Rome' rally turning violent
Fight & Chaos: First video of 'Occupy Rome' rally turning violent
I was surprised to see, in the footage of the Rome demonstrations, the security trucks emblazoned with: GUARDIA di FINANZA
Makes it all pretty straightforward, eh?
Great historical shot at 2:54 of the flaming cars and Roman columns.
What was initially planned as a peaceful "Occupy Rome" protest turned into a violent demonstration in the Italian capital. Police reportedly used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds of angry Italians. Protesters wearing masks and helmets threw rocks, bottles and other objects at police in riot gear. Some wielded clubs, while others were armed with hammers. The demonstration against the government's economic policy, with a crowd estimated at 200,000, descended into violent chaos when groups of angry protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and attacked shops. Protesters also attacked the Defense Ministry and set a wing of the building on fire. At least one person was injured and taken to a hospital, the Al Jazeera television network reported. The protests in the Italian capital were modeled on the "Occupy Wall Street" demonstration against capitalism and austerity measures, which went global Saturday with dozens of marches and protests worldwide. The website for the international movement said 951 cities in 87 countries were ready to "Unite for Global Change" -- the official slogan of the rally. Sizable protests were held in Spain, the UK and New York.
The Guardia di Finanza (Italian pronunciation: [ˈɡwardja di fiˈnantsa]; meaning "Financial Guard") is a Italian law enforcement agency under the authority of the Minister of Economy and Finance. Like the Carabinieri, it is part of the Italian Armed Forces. The Guard is essentially responsible for dealing with financial crime and smuggling; it has also evolved into Italy's primary agency for suppressing the drugs trade. The Guardia di Finanza maintains over 600 boats and ships and more than 100 aircraft to fulfill its mission of patrolling Italy's territorial waters.