ITALY: L'Aquila residents in giant hillside G-8 protest

Record ID: 345865

  • Title: ITALY: L'Aquila residents in giant hillside G-8 protest
  • Date: 9th July 2009
  • Summary: L'AQUILA, ITALY (JULY 8, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS DEMONSTRATORS ON HILLSIDE ERECTING BANNER UP READING (English): 'YES WE CAMP' VIEW OF G-8 SUMMIT VENUE FILMED FROM HILL PROTESTERS ON HILL SIDE PROTESTER PUTTING LETTER ON HILLSIDE BANNER PROTESTER WEIGHING DOWN BANNER WITH STONES HELICOPTER FLYING OVERHEAD (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) L'AQUILA RESIDENT AND PROTESTER SARA, SAYING: "This banner reading 'yes we camp' is our way of protesting. We have used this in the past and we will do so in future. We hope to burst the artificial bubble of the G-8 summit that is taking place in a town destroyed by the earthquake and politicians." (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) L'AQUILA RESIDENT AND PROTESTER MICHELE TARTAGNI, SAYING: "It is a unique case in which people are still living in camps as leaders meet, our action is a metaphorical way to protest against (Italian Prime Minister Silvio) Berlusconi's political choice of venue for the g8 summit." PROTESTERS POINTING AT HELICOPTER AND CHEERING HELICOPTER HOVERING OVER HILLTOP PROTESTERS APPLAUDING HELICOPTER BANNER AS SEEN FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL
  • Embargoed: 24th July 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVACDWDJAQNPSA9WF70DG826L787
  • Story Text: Earthquake survivors erect a huge banner reading: 'Yes We Camp' on a hill overlooking the G-8 venue site to draw attention to the 60,000 people left homeless following April's earthquake.
    L'Aquila's earthquake victims erected a huge banner on a hill overlooking the G-8 venue site on Wednesday (July 8) which made good use of U.S. President Barack Obama's famous words but this time reading: 'Yes We Camp.' The banner, clearly visible to the thousands of journalists attending the G-8 summit which runs from July 8-10 aims to draw attention to the 60,000 people made homeless after April's terrifying earthquake.
    "This banner reading 'yes we camp' is our way of protesting. We have used this in the past and we will do so in future. We hope to burst the artificial bubble of the G-8 summit that is taking place in a town destroyed by the earthquake and politicians," said L'Aquila resident, Sara.
    "It is a unique case in which people are still living in camps as leaders meet, our action is a metaphorical way to protest against (Italian Prime Minister Silvio) Berlusconi's political choice of venue for the G-8 summit," said another protester, Michele Tartagni, as a police helicopter hovered overhead.
    Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi made the decision to change the G-8 venue from a Mediterranean island near Sardinia, to L'Aquila following the earthquake in order to plough finance into the area. But many inhabitants are angered by the event being held in their town.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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