Demonstration Notices - Archive

Demonstration Notice: Update on July 7

(1) Update on July 7 (today) Demonstration in Piazza Barberini , Rome

A merican citizens are advised that the protestors will meet in Piazza della Repubblica at between 1500 and 1600 and then move to Piazza Barberini, the focal point of the protest.  The police are already in position and will block all the streets leading up to the American Embassy in Rome .  The organizers expect 2,000 participants.  At the end of the protest in Piazza Barberini, the protestors will move to the Ministero dell’Economia (Ministry for Economics) on via XX Settembre, where the demonstration is scheduled to end around 1900.

The following bus routes will be affected by the Piazza Barberini demonstration:  52, 53, 61, 62, 63, 80 Express, 95, 116, 175, 492, 590, 630.

Traffic will be blocked going up via Veneto from Piazza Barberini.

(2) Transportation Strike on July 7

On the evening of July 7 (tonight), there will be a transportation strike from 2030 hours to the end of the evening shifts.  Please factor in these changes in planning your routes home.

On July 7, from 1000 to 1400, there is a train strike.

On July 7, there was an airplane strike from 1000-1100.

On July 7, boats will depart one hour later than scheduled (points of departure not specified in the press).

These transportation strikes are calling attention to the tragedy in Viareggio.

(3) Gas Station Strike July 7-10

  Currently, a gas station strike is planned for July 8-9, although the gas companies are negotiating with the Italian government to avoid the strike.  If the strike occurs, the following areas will be affected:

• Ordinary roads:  gas stations closed from 1930 on July 8 to 0700 July 10
• Autostrada:  gas stations closed from 2200 on July 8 to 2200 on July 9

The province of L’Aquila is excluded from the gas station strike.

(4) Update on July 9 Demonstration

Ponte Galeria (southern Rome) near the CIE (Center for the identification and expulsion of illegal immigrants) protesting the expulsion of illegal immigrants.  Although this demonstration is not specifically targeted at the G-8 Summit, organizers are taking advantage of the increased media attention.

(5) Update on Street Closures and No Parking Zones

Areas of Rome where parking and/or driving will be difficult, if not impossible, on July 9 th:

Via Nazionale
Via Genova
Via Milano
Pantheon
Via di Torre Argentina
Piazza Chiara
Piazza della Rotonda
Via della Rotonda

Areas of Rome where parking will not be allowed on July 10 th:

Via della Conciliazione leading up to St. Peter’s Basilica

(6) Other Protest Actions

According to news reports, protesters will attempt to conduct a sit-in at the American Embassy in Rome today.  Local authorities have advised that they will block all approaches to the Embassy.  The proposed sit-in may actually refer to the action at Piazza Barberini.

Today protesters have been active on the entrance to A24 from Tangenziale Est, near Cimitero del Verano, where 50 No Globals wore hard hats and placed tents in the street to block traffic for about 20 minutes until police responded.

Protesters burned automobile tires in the middle of the street on Appia Antica.  Police responded quickly and the fires were extinguished.  According to witnesses, the protesters had covered their faces with handkerchiefs.

Today police have also responded to small groups of demonstrators at Ostiense, Pyramide, Boca della Verita’.  Police helicopters were surveilling the areas of Trastevere and Testaccio.

Yesterday offices of La Sapienza (University of Rome), of Architecture in Roma Tre (another university in Rome) and an area in Testaccio (southern Rome), via Aldo Manunzio, were taken over by students in protest against the 21 arrests made in Torino, Padova, Bologna and Aquila for actions performed by Black Block during the demonstration held on May 19 th during the G8 for Universities in Torino.

(7) Be alert

American citizens should be on the alert for small groups on the street and take appropriate measures to avoid any confrontations with protesters.

American citizens should plan their travel to and from work carefully, taking into account transportation availability and street closures.  Monitor the local news because the situation is fluid and events are developing rapidly.