On the second anniversary of a huge march that took place in the city of Vicenza, which was attended by tens of thousands of people opposed to US plans to increase the number of buildings at the military base installed there, the pacifists acted with a well-thought-out strategy.
Around fifty pacifists made a laughing stock of security guards, managing to enter the guarded site during the security’s change of shift in heavy snowfall by breaking through a fence signposted “Military zone – Do not enter – Armed guards”.
Seizing zone number 14, the protesters hung coloured banners on the tops of cranes along with a large canvas bearing the slogan “Vicenza fights back”. Using protective helmets and ropes as climbing equipment, a dozen youths chained themselves to the same crane while the other protesters accompanied them by singing songs.
There were no arrests, once police were able to verify identities, and the Italian city woke up talking about the incident with raised consciousness, thanks to the actions of a handful of non-violent youths on an extremely cold morning.
*translated by Alex Crichton*
