26 die as Italy strike turns bloody

[Agostinho Neto]

RAI Radio Televisione Italiana

MILANO -

, state media has said. The video recorded by an amateur, shows the deployment of the army at 1 minute.

Some 625 others have been injured in the deadliest unrest to hit the region in months and officials said the death toll was expected to rise. Italian Army sealed off streets in parts of the regional Capital, Milano, after the sudden strikes by Automobile, Construction, Asphalt and Anti-Rad Squads erupted into violence. Witnesses reported a new, smaller protest in a second city, Verona.

The unrest is another troubling sign for Italy at how rapid economic development has failed to stem - and even has exacerbated - resentment among workers, who say they are being marginalized in their homelands as migrants pour in.

Columns of anti riot army divisions, wearing helmets and flak vests marched around Milan's main square carrying rifles and grenade launchers. Rioters overturned barricades, attacked vehicles and houses, and clashed violently with the army in Milan, according to media and witness accounts. State television aired footage showing protesters attacking and kicking people on the ground. Other people, sat dazed with blood pouring down their faces.

Edited July 13, 2009 by Junio Borghese

[DeRaadspensionaris]

The only thing that a responsible government can do at such a tragic moment is to recognize that it is has lost it's mandate to govern the people and resign.

We feel for those that perished in the bloodbath and call upon the government of Italy to take a long, hard look in the mirror.

[King Kevz]

"Perhaps the italian government should stop or at least restrict the flow of migrants into the country and look towards helping its citizens first. Of course measures must be taken to quell any riot that occurs".

[loannes]

"A government that neglects and fights it's own people will not remain in power for long. It's a known fact that gunshots, although capable of quelling a riots, can lead to a full rebellion. Your hundreds of workers will swell to thousands, and your government will be overthrown. The government of Drakoria recommends that your entire government resigns and free, unhampered elections be held."

[Agostinho Neto]

Troops of the National Republican Guard mobilized to quell the strike

National Republican Guard troops firing live rounds clashed with anti-government demonstrators in Milan this afternoon as the political conflict between General Junio Borghese and his foes flared into violence.

Eight more people were killed after the heavily-armed troops riding motorcycles and wearing gas masks swooped on anti-Borghese protesters who were blocking major roads south of Milan. After scattering to avoid the live rounds, which enveloped the roads and their backed-up lines of cars, the protesters regrouped and briefly set up barricades of burning tires and garbage across streets in eastern Milan.

General Junio Borghese released a public statement inviting the citizens to stay at home and report any suspicious activity to the nearest army post. He denied the Provisional Military Government is trying to reach a deal with the protesters, and promised the hardline against those who will attempt to overthrow the Military Government set up by the Army and the former members of the National Fascist Party

Edited July 13, 2009 by Junio Borghese

[iamthey]

The only thing that a responsible government can do at such a tragic moment is to recognize that it is has lost it's mandate to govern the people and resign.

We feel for those that perished in the bloodbath and call upon the government of Italy to take a long, hard look in the mirror.

There is no such thing as a "mandate to govern" you either have sufficient power as a state to dominate the internal political struggle, encompass it with your own internal systems, or cease to exist. As long as the government continues to exist and an opposing force has not yet wiped them out, then it retains its "right to rule".

[Botha]

As long as the government can maintain the monopoly of armed force, then it maintains the mandate to govern. Elections and such are just window dressings.

[Agostinho Neto]

Italy's leader General Junio Borghese imposed emergency rule this evening, plunging the industrial production into crisis. The action to reassert his flagging authority was, he said, a response to strikers and to the 'paralysis of government by subversive militants'. He said that his country's sovereignty was at stake.

Strikers and labour union leaders were arrested, army troops poured on to city streets and television and radio stations were taken off the air, and sorrounded the neighborhood occupied by protesters. Borghese also formed a special commission to deal with the strikes in the harsh way "Everything will be ready for the visit of Field Marshal Petrus Malan" he commented. "The strikers must give up the fight and return their home before midnight, or they will deal with the consequences" he added.

[Agostinho Neto]

Italian soldiers in Milan

Violence erupted again in Milan today, leading to the imposition of curfew in the entire city, a day after 26 persons were killed in clashes with security forces. The fresh incidents of violence occurred in various areas of Milan where rioters clashed with the army and the National Republican Guard personnel by pelting stones on them.

The soldiers fired live rounds and lobbed teargas shells in the troubled area to bring the situation under control, the army said adding that some persons suffered injuries. There have been reports of deaths and several casualties, bringing the death toll to at least 100.