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Italians march in US base protest Italians march in US base protest
(about 4 hours later)
Thousands of people are marching in the north-eastern Italian city of Vicenza against a planned extension of the US army base there. Tens of thousands of people have marched in the north-eastern Italian city of Vicenza against a planned extension of the US army base there.
Organisers say the majority of local people are opposed to US plans. They say Prime Minister Romano Prodi has ignored strong local objections.Organisers say the majority of local people are opposed to US plans. They say Prime Minister Romano Prodi has ignored strong local objections.
Thousands of extra police are on duty in Vicenza for what has been planned as a peaceful march. Mr Prodi is going ahead with a plan agreed by his pro-US predecessor, Silvio Berlusconi.
There are fears that radical fringe groups will try to cause violence. Despite fears of possible violence, the march passed off peacefully.
Vicenza's mayor fears the march will be infiltrated by left-wing radicals from other EU states intent on causing violence - as happened in Genoa six years ago, when rioting during a G8 summit caused heavy damage, one death and many injuries. Schools normally opened on Saturday were closed, and the US embassy warned Americans to avoid the city, as Mr Prodi appealed for protestors to avoid violence.
Vicenza's mayor had feared the march would be infiltrated by left-wing radicals from other EU states intent on causing violence - as happened in Genoa six years ago, when rioting during a G8 summit caused heavy damage, one death and many injuries.
Organisers said 100,000 people attended, while police put the number at 40,000.
Ministers bannedMinisters banned
Special trains and buses from various parts of Italy arrived in Vicenza for the protest march. Marchers carried banners reading "America, No Thanks" and "Bases Go Home", and waved rainbow-coloured peace flags.
We love our town and we want to protect it - other people want to impose with violence a base that nobody wants Local man "There is no reason to have this base here," said Antonio Faitta, 25, who travelled from Genoa for the protest.
Many of them have been chartered by leftist parties and the Greens, members of Mr Prodi's ruling coalition, although the prime minister has banned ministers from attending the march. Special trains and buses from various parts of Italy arrived in Vicenza for the march.
People want to impose with violence a base that nobody wants Local man
Many of them had been chartered by leftist parties and the Greens, members of Mr Prodi's ruling coalition, although the prime minister had banned ministers from attending the march.
The BBC's David Willey in Rome says the centre-left government is embarrassingly split between those who want to respect the decision of the previous centre-right coalition to agree to Washington's request, and those who would like to see the Americans out.The BBC's David Willey in Rome says the centre-left government is embarrassingly split between those who want to respect the decision of the previous centre-right coalition to agree to Washington's request, and those who would like to see the Americans out.
Thousands set off from the town's railway station with banners such as "No To The Bases" and "America No Thanks".Thousands set off from the town's railway station with banners such as "No To The Bases" and "America No Thanks".
"We love our town and we want to protect it," a local protester told the BBC."We love our town and we want to protect it," a local protester told the BBC.
"Other people want to impose with violence a base that nobody wants.""Other people want to impose with violence a base that nobody wants."
Schools and shops are closed and thousands of extra police are on duty. Police helicopters could be heard overhead.
Transfer from GermanyTransfer from Germany
The Americans established a military presence in Vicenza more than half a century ago.The Americans established a military presence in Vicenza more than half a century ago.
President George W Bush wants to beef up the base, the headquarters of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, by transferring from Germany to Italy another 2,000 US soldiers. President George W Bush wants to strengthen the base, the headquarters of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, by transferring from Germany to Italy another 2,000 US soldiers.
This would bring the total number of US troops stationed in Vicenza to nearly 5,000.This would bring the total number of US troops stationed in Vicenza to nearly 5,000.
The base provides over 1,000 jobs to locals in Vicenza and injects millions of dollars into the local economy.The base provides over 1,000 jobs to locals in Vicenza and injects millions of dollars into the local economy.
A withdrawal could have serious local economic consequences.A withdrawal could have serious local economic consequences.