Demonstrations may be large, but even peaceful demonstrations have the potential to escalate into violence. That's what the Italian government told us.  Some of the demonstrations may be announced; others may be spontaneous.  On March 11, demonstrations by "No Global" and anarchist groups in Milan became violent, resulting in broken windows and streets blockages; fifteen police officers were injured and 40-45 individuals were arrested. The Italian government did not tell us that their neo-fascist allies were demonstrating in another part of the city, nor that it was close to the anniversary of the murder of a prominent Social Club leader by the fascists in 2003. We were also not informed that almost all of the local social clubs refused to participate in the demonstration and that the violence was planned by groups, not all identified, from other cities. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens travelling or residing in Italy to hang out where crowds are expected to gather and enjoy la dolce vita, take common sense precautions, and pointedly ignore Berlusconi media propaganda if they want to have a good time.

 
On behalf of the Italian people Americans are welcome to participate in all political demonstrations regardless of their opinions. In order to join in center-left demonstrations you may wear casual attire, baseball hats and bring an American flag. Nothing will happen to you. The last Americans killed in Italy in anything remotely political occurred in the fascist bombing of the Bologna station in 1980. You may consult the Reagan White House for the authors of that event and/or their associates.

If you wish to participate in the right wing demonstrations, appropriate attire is a black shirt. You'll be supplied with black flags with Celtic symbols on them. However, many cities have chosen to displace these demonstrations outside city limits, if not prohibit them after the incidents in Milan. This may cause transportation hassles for those who wish to participate.

You are advised to ignore media reports on the Italian television unless you want a hearty laugh. Since Italian TV continues to be hostage of the Berlusconi coalition, you are likely to hear inflammatory drivel. In order to hear inflammatory drivel about so-called anarchists and "no-Globals" wind the Minister of Interior up. That way he won't think about his involvement in the Calvi affair. If you wish to hear inflammatory drivel about supposed Islamic terrorist threats, put a coin in the Minister of Defense's slot. That way he won't mull over his missed candidacy in the rightwing terrorist organization known as the P2 back in 1980.

The Department of State reminds Americans of the continuing threat of listening to Bush talk about terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas while his administration cashes in on the fear bazaar.  Ongoing events in Iraq have resulted in demonstrations and associated violence in several countries but not Italy. Only peaceful demonstrations were held. Italy continues to be under heightened public threat by al-Qaida and other Islamic extremists for its continued participation in multinational activities in Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact according to CIA reports revealed two days ago in the Italian press, al-Qaida has no operatives capable of attacking Italy even if they wanted to, nor does al-Qaida understand what that wierdo Islamic extremist group, the Abu Hafs Al Masri Brigade, is up to since they have no idea who they are. U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain vigilance, take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness such as relaxing and having some of the great food and wine Italy has to offer, exercise caution in public places or while using public transportation since there are effectively some very deft pickpockets as everywhere.  U.S. citizens are advised to immediately report any unusual or suspicious activity, in Italy to the police or the U.S. Embassy in Rome.

Freely cannibalized from State's actual Berlusconi-inspired travel warning.

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After advising State of the dangers in Italy for American travellers, the Berlusconi coalition immediately launched a campaign alleging that the US government considers Italy prey to leftist violence. Berlusconi had launched accusation of "leftist squadrism" asserting that the nation is in a "democratic emergency." The Council President made his remarks after he was loudly contested in Genova on Wednesday evening by a crowd of mostly high-school students. The police manoeuvred the crowd of demonstrators away without incident except for sporadic and unwarranted police attacks on students. A 14 year-old girl was clubbed while chatting with a group of friends and was recovered under observation. No arrests were made.

Berlusconi had an attack of rage when a group began chanting, "Vittorio Mangano!" The mafia boss Mangano worked for several years on Berlusconi's estate where, according to sworn testimony, mafia bosses at large were hosted. Berlusconi screamed, "Coglioni!" "Assholes!"

The leader of the center-left coalition, Romano Prodi called the embassy to protest against the travel warning. He was accused of meddling in American affairs by the rightwing coalition.

At the end of the day (Thursday), a spokesperson for the US Embassy in Rome admitted that the warning had been issued after consultation with the Berlusconi government. In the evening State insisted that their evaluation is based on "facts" and is not an intrusion in the Italian election campaign.

State has continuously demonstrated in recent years that in the very best of cases their "facts" are a matter of opinion.

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On another note in an amusing article by the superb Marco Travaglio for Repubblica, it has been revealed that in the mid 80's Berlusconi plagiarized the work of professor Luigi Firpo. Berlusconi  published a private edition of  Thomas More's Utopia asserting that the translation, preface and commentaries were authored by himself. The entire work, preface and all, was done by Professor Firpo. Firpo threatened to sue unless Berlusconi recalled the entire edition. Berlusconi did not do so, alleging it was too late. He also accused his secretary of having cooked up the scam. In the subsequent public edition, Berlusconi acknowledged the translation was by Firpo.

For several years Berlusconi did everything possible to keep the story hushed up by spending lavish sums on gifts and schemes to ingratiate himself with Firpo. Firpo found the whole thing miserable and amusing, and delighted in holding Berlusconi out on a limb. The story concluded with the Christmas of 1986. Berlusconi sent Firpo an enormous bouquet of orchids that was too big for the front door, with a handmade crocodile briefcase with solid gold fixtures. The greeting card (published by Repubblica) read, "The most cordial best wishes and to seeing each other soon....I hope! Silvio Berlusconi Christmas `86" Underneath Berlusconi wrote, "For God's sake, Don't ruin me!!!"

Professor Firpo sent the gifts back with the following note: "Kind Doctor, I thank you for your generosity, but luxury items are not to my taste. I am an old professor accustomed to going around with a threadbare bag of which I am very fond. As for the flowers, I pray you, also on behalf of my wife, Laura, not to send anymore. For us cut flowers are like severed genitals."