1.
GV ZOOM IN Crowds of demonstrators in square with motorcycles.
0.06

2.
SV Motorcyclists with banner.
0.10

3.
SV PAN Motorcyclists PAN TO speaker.
0.22

4.
SV Motorcyclists start engines and leave square.
0.30

5.
SV PAN Motorcyclists ride around square.
0.38

6.
GV PAN from the "Spanish Steps" to motorcyclists along street. (2 shots).
0.56



Initials AE/19.26 AE/19.35



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Hundreds of motorcyclists gathered in Rome's Piazza del Popolo on Monday (22 July) to protest against a new surcharge tax imposed on all motorcycles.

The tax was part of a fiscal package introduced by the Italian government a week earlier. The measures were widely regarded as some of the most austere ever introduced in Italy, and included higher income tax, surcharges on cars, boats and most luxury goods.

Speakers at the motorcyclists' rally protested that the new tax on their vehicles was too large by comparison with the tax on motor vehicles. They argued that motorcycles used less fuel and contributed less to urban traffic problems.

To press their point, the motorcyclists rode in a procession around the Piazza del Popolo and through the streets of Rome.