Over 200 expected at anti-Berlusconi demo

Today at 3 pm, a manifestation against the Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will be held at Dam Square, as part of the international No Berlusconi Day. Over 200 people are expected to attend, although rain and Sinterklaas may affect turnout. “The ‘culture’ of berlusconism can also find its way here,” organiser Frederico Bonelli warns.

People who come to the demo are invited to wear violet, the colour of the international action day. There will also be violet Pieten – presumably a play on Zwarte Piet, the helper of Sinterklaas, the Dutch Santa Claus. Further, there will be beer crate poetry: anyone may recite poetry in Italian, standing on a beer crate.

The demo is expected to draw Dutch people, Italians who have been living here for a long time as well as tourists. “I’ve been contacted by Italians who were happy that a demonstration was planned in Amsterdam because they’re here on a long-planned visit and will be happy to join. We are proud of the attendance of Dutch friends and families, which confirms that democracy in Italy is perceived as a European problem,” Bonelli says in an email.

The motivation to protest against Berlusconi is primarily ethical, he explains, for Berlusconi violates the principle of equality before the law. “For the Dutch, it is important to understand that Europe is one. Your taxes to the European Community become money for the mafia, the money of criminals gets recycled in your country, the ‘culture’ of berlusconism can also find its way here. Your government is still happy to shield him in the EU parliament,” he adds.

The demo was originally to take place at the Leidseplein, but had to be moved to Dam Square because of the number of expected participants.

Photo: Agência Brasil / Wikimedia

UPDATE - According to AT5, a few dozen people have attended the demo. Report