Before that episode the students accepted their presence on the condition that they not clearly identify themselves politically. One of the ground rules of the movement is a refusal to be associated with political parties or the classic dichotomy Left-Right. It is obvious that the nature of the movement is "left" or "progressive" in that it is projected towards the future and concrete problem-solving of the disastrous situation in which the actual Italian educational system wallows, a situation in which both the right and left political establishments share responsibility.

What happened in Piazza Navona was a clear provocation by the fascist block to take the head of demonstration whereas the students refused the presence of banners and slogans with an established political identification. At that point the fascists attacked the kids, beating up several with belts wrapped around their fists. They effectively created their own space within the Piazza. Their insistance at chanting fascist slogans especially to the Duce and their militarization of the area they had carved out lead to the subsequent fighting about 45 minutes later. It was only then that the police intervened.

Pictures published yesterday as well as sworn testimony that is confirmed by the photos can be seen on la Repubblica's site.

Yesterday Tremonti's site was hacked. "If you block our future, we're going to block your sites."

This evening it has been proposed to meet in Circo Massimo to write what the students call "human graffiti" in honour of Berlusconi's bill to crack down on graffiti with stiff prison sentences, stiffer than those for fraudulent bankruptcy which Berlusconi is seeking to depenalize. Demonstrators are invited to light candles during the night and write slogans against the "reform" with their bodies. We'll see if it happens.