Anti-Bush Protesters Converge on Rome

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Jun 9, 5:36 AM EDT
Anti-Bush Protesters Converge on Rome
By ARIEL DAVID
Associated Press Writer

ROME (AP) -- Anti-globalization and far-left activists from across Italy were converging on the capital Saturday to protest against President Bush during his visit to Rome and the Vatican.

Thousands of police swarmed around the Colosseum, the downtown Piazza Venezia and other venues amid fears some protests could turn violent.

At Milan's railway station, police in anti-riot gear flanked the tracks and monitored demonstrators boarding trains heading to Rome. Groups of 100 to 200 protesters were blocking tracks at stations in Milan, Venice and Padua trying to board trains without tickets, news agency ANSA reported.

Two main demonstrations, each expected to draw thousands of protesters, are planned for the afternoon in Rome. The U.S. Embassy on Friday issued a warning to Americans to avoid the demonstrations or risk "becoming targets of opportunity."




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