informant38
.

-
...But of these sophisms and elenchs of merchandise I skill not...
Milton, Areopagitica

Except he had found the
standing sea-rock that even this last
Temptation breaks on; quieter than death but lovelier; peace
that quiets the desire even of praising it.

Jeffers, Meditation On Saviors


-

8.11.02

While the authorities have played up a possible repeat of the Genoa G8 clashes last year that saw one man killed, tear gas, running battles and deep embarrassment for the Italian government, the 25,000 people who have gathered for the first European social forum are mostly locked in a bewildering variety of debates and discussions at an old fort.

No one denies that obscure fringe elements may seek to settle scores with the police at tomorrow's anti-war march, which is expected to attract 100,000 people, but yesterday's emphasis was firmly on peaceful change and the evolution of political ideas rather than revolution.
The forum, set up as a pro-democracy organization to bring together broad social movements, says it has no intention beyond stimulating debate and giving a voice to people who are marginalized, or who seek political change. Its agenda is set by the participants and it expects to issue no formal statement of aspirations - or indeed, to reach any conclusions.Six thousand armed police are on standby, but a demonstration by 5,000 people against a nearby US air force base outside Florence passed off peacefully.

Blog Archive