Students Protests Against Banks in Rome

Chaos in Rome on Friday during a general strike protesting against Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Hundreds of high school and university students break away from the main protest march and head towards Rome’s commercial district, where the city’s banks and department stores are located.

Riot police keep a close eye as students begin plastering posters onto bank windows.

The posters say „Share out the money“ and „More community, less business.“

One student explains her frustration with the current government.

[Maria Montanelli, Student]:
„We have decided to block this area where there are businesses and business speculation and we will continue to do so. We are tired of living such a precarious life. We are tired as students and young people of seeing our futures being taken away from us.“

As small groups of students try to push their way into bank offices, riot police block entrances and minor scuffles break out as they are held back.

The stand-off continued into the early afternoon.

Foto: NTD