UK workers and students unite with Italians in struggle against Berlusconi

Report of Rome demonstration 12th December
Today saw a general strike in Italy and huge protests against President Berlusconi's cuts and privatisation of the education system. REVOLUTION, as part of an international delegation of solidarity with the protests attended.

The night before the demonstration we had prepared a large red banner. 'UK Workers and students in solidarity! Long live the wave! Down with Berlusconi!' Italian students told us they thought our banner was 'bella' and this set the tone for the solidarity on the demonstration that was to follow.

In the morning we set off at about 10am and gathered outside the entrance of where we were staying - the occupied physics department at Rome university La Sapienza. We leafleted students with statements outlining the purpose of our visit - to show support and to put out a call for an international student conference to spread the radicalism of the Italian movement all over Europe.

Unfortunately it was to rain for most of the day, but spirits were not dampened as our contingent started chanting and singing. It wasn't long before we learnt some Italian chants and they were loving the chants we brought from Britain from economic crisis demonstrations such as 'they say cut back - we say fight back!' and 'one solution - revolution!'.

Many people came over to talk with us, thanking us for attending the demonstrations. We spoke to lots of people who agreed with our call for the organisation an international conference of students resisting neo-liberal attacks on education. The night before we met students at La Sapienza who agreed with the call for a revolutionary party - something we also argued for in our literature.

The march was incredible. Music blaring out from trucks driving alongside, lots of dancing and a sea of giant red flags featuring the symbol of the 'anomalous wave' could be seen filling the streets. We marched singing and chanting past lots of beautiful parts of Rome including the impressive Roman Colosseum.

After this a friendly student asked us if we would speak on a platform at the rally at the end of the demonstration. In front of the department of education and lots of armed police, Simon from Westminster University expressed the global nature of education cuts and our solidarity with the Italians. This drew huge applause as students and workers cheered our banner. Simon then called for the organisation of a European wide meeting in Italy which gained a warm response from demonstrators.

After talking about our ideas to some school students who we exchanged emails with it was tine to go and get some pizza - after dancing to the nearest tube station to the sounds of the Beatles and many other classics blaring out of the van. The atmosphere was great and the demonstration felt like a real success despite the weather. We said goodbye to the students after asking them to teach us the words to 'bella ciao', a radical Italian protest song which we sung in the tube station.