The demonstration, named “No Berlusconi day”, was the English counterpart of a bigger protest that simultaneously took place in Rome and was organised by a group of bloggers using social networks such as Twitter and Facebook.
Italians living in London vented their anger at the current political situation in their homecountry and claimed not to feel represented by Mr Berlusconi. The protest was not backed by any specific political party and encompassed people of different beliefs.
Purple was the colour chosen to express citizens’ disappointment with the current political mayhem in Italy. The participants chanted “Dimettiti! Dimettiti!” (“Resign! Resign!”), while some others screamed “Thief!” or “You’re a clown!” and booed Mr Berlusconi as images of his reaction to the declaration of unconstitutionality earlier in October of the so-called Alfano Law, which granted impunity for the four main offices of the State during their mandate, were shown onscreen.
Main points of the debate were the need of equality of all citizens before the law, with reference to article n.3 of the Constitution, the urge for freedom of information in Italy, the call for political caring of public instead of personal interests in the management of the State.
SEEKING CHANCES ABROAD
Many students and young people at the demonstration expressed their views on Italian’s political situation. Not only were they dissatisfied with Mr Berlusconi, but they said the whole political class is not offering a valid alternative.
A 20-year-old student at the Metropolitan College of London decided to come to England right after high-school, because he felt in Italy he did not have chances to succeed. A film director left Italy annoyed by the “culture of acquaintances, so that if you don’t know the right people you won’t make it.” The lack of a merit system and defined career paths were major factors in Italians’ decision to leave their country.
The disappointment of Italians living in London is sharpened by the image of their homeland abroad. “People here think that Italy is a fun-fair and mock Berlusconi,” said a student. “Italians abroad struggle to show their real value when they’re ruled by a clown,” he added.
This week’s The Economist dedicated an editorial to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi by the headline “Time to say addio”, where “addio” means “goodbye for good”. In the past few months the Italian premier has been involved in several scandals, including most recent allegations of collusion with mafia in 1993 and involvement with call-girl Patrizia D’Addario.
Check the gallery and the best posters of the demonstration here
Check our (Paola Bonfanti, Daniele Fisichella, Marco Granese and Anna Pitton) report on You Tube
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