GV Riot police
CU Riot police holding weapons
Background: Several hundred left-wing Italians staged a peaceful five-hour demonstration in Milan on Saturday (17 April) to commemorate the death of Gianni Zibecchi, who was run over by a police truck one year ago.
The incident took place during bloody riots in Milan involving some 30,000 leftists protesting against what they called a resurgence of fascism in Italy.
The rioters burned out cars and police vehicles and used petrol bombs to set ablaze the offices of right-wing political groups. The Milan riots were part of several incidents in Italy in which police battled with left-wing demonstrators.
Police said small commando bands, their faces masked by scarves, wrecked at least three right-wing bars. Shop windows were smashed, the offices of the Spanish airline, Iberia, were attacked and petrol bombs were thrown at police.
Similar confrontations took place in Rome, Turin, Florence, Padua, Cagliari and Naples.
Police reported that in the main, the 1975 demonstrations were peaceful in all cities except Milan and Rome. They attributed the violence to splinter groups who broke away from the main body of demonstrators.
SYNOPSIS: This is Milan, Italy, where one year ago, police were called out to quell a riot by some 30,000 left-wing demonstrators. The riot left one man dead ... Gianni Zibecchi, who was run over by a police truck. According to the rioters, they were protesting against a resurgence of fascism in Italy.
The rioters burned out private cars and police vehicles and used petrol bombs to set ablaze the offices of right-wing political groups.
On Saturday, there was another demonstration at the same spot in Milan as left-wingers commemorated the first anniversary of Zibecchi's death. But this one was a far cry from the 1975 riots which spread throughout Italy. It was subdued and was more of a memorial ceremony for Zibecchi.
Businessmen in the area, recalling last year's riots, took no chances. Many boarded up their shops and took other measures to protect their property.
Police were also out he alert, but all they were called upon to do was to keep a watchful eye on the situation.