- Title: ITALY: Thousands protest in Rome against government reforms
- Date: 17th October 2008
- Summary: CHILD CHANTING THROUGH MEGAPHONE IN ITALIAN: "CUTS AND MORE CUTS WILL LEAD TO THE SCHOOL COLLAPSING" PEOPLE HOLDING UMBRELLAS MARCHING THROUGH STREETS FIREMEN CARRYING STRETCHER WITH DUMMY DRESSED IN FIREMAN UNIFORM AT MARCH CHILDREN BLOWING WHISTLES AT MARCH (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) MARISA FRANCHI, PARENT AND ALITALIA EMPLOYEE SAYING: "I am here as a parent because my daugh
- Embargoed: 1st November 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Italy
- Country: Italy
- Topics: Employment,Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA6P7XGLKTAFLR45BD18MSR8BG7
- Story Text: Thousands of protesters, including children, took to the streets on Friday (October 17) in protest over recent reforms pushed through by prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's government in the education system and over pay and contract concerns in the transport system.
Called by one of Italy's largest unions, COBAS, the demonstrators braved a sudden downpour to wave flags and chant as they passed through the centre of the capital after leaving most of the country without any means of transport and some schools closed.
"Cuts and more cuts will lead to the school collapsing,"
shouted one young child through a megaphone as he walked with his parents in the march.
Even firemen had turned out to show their concern over job cuts. They carried a dummy dressed in a fireman's uniform lying in a stretcher as a symbolic gesture of how bad they thought things will get.
Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini's has brought in a range of reforms in the education system, including marks for good conduct and plans to cut 87,000 teachers' posts over three years. The action has sparked a confidence vote in parliament and some teachers began this term wearing black armbands in symbolic mourning. Many parents at Friday's march said they were there to protest the government's attack on the education system.
"I am here as a parent because my daughter goes to school and as an Alitalia employee because everyone knows what has happened there,"
said one protester Marisa Franchi.
"School is the basis of society, so governments should choose to give things to schools not to make cuts," said secondary school student Caterina.
This is Berlusconi's first big strike since taking power five months ago, but the prime minister maintained a strong stance on Friday, vowing to take on Italy's most notorious problem -- the Mafia, another area that Italians hold close to their hearts. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.