Photos & report of week-long campout against U.S. military base in Vicenza, Italy

Read two reports on the amazing activist campout against the proposed U.S. military base in Vicenza, Italy.


250 people entered the site of the new base to plant trees while thousands protested outside the gates
More photos at: http://www.peaceandjustice.it/g-vicenza-camping.php

1st report: Camping for Peace in Vicenza, Italy
It's difficult to believe that just a week before the activist campout opened in Vicenza, Italy, there was nothing more than an empty field. The local movement against a new U.S. military base at the Dal Molin airport has put together a 4-star campground with an action packed schedule in a clear demonstration not only of their determination to continue the struggle, which has been going on for more than a year, but also of the level of support among Vicenza residents as well as people from all over Italy and beyond.
Read more at: http://www.peaceandjustice.it/vicenza-camping-post.php

2nd report: A Report from Vicenza, Italy and the No Dal Molin Festival Against U.S. Military Expansion and War
Vicenza (pronounced Vichenza) is an inland city of the wealthy Veneto region in the Northeast part of Italy located about 25 miles west of Venice. Vicenza is a UNESCO heritage site because of its historical monuments and artistic landmarks, most notably of architect Andrea Palladio, and the city is often frequented by some of the richest and most powerful families of Italy's ruling class elite. The current Mayor, Enrico Hullweck, had Silvio Berlusconi as the best man at his wedding in 2003 and is a part of the Billionaire's Forza Italia political party. The extreme right-wing political party Lega Nord, which is currently organizing an anti-Islamic rally called “Maiale (Pig) Day”, finds support here, and the shameful powerbrokers of the center-left have their share of vacation homes and villas in the city and the surrounding countryside. Vicenza doesn't seem like the most likely place for a forceful, sustained and growing movement against U.S. imperialism and military expansion, but the proposed new base at Dal Molin Airport together with the presence of an existing U.S. military base have transformed this city into the frontlines of the growing European movement against the United States' continued and expanding military presence on the Continent and its criminal wars.
Read more at: http://www.peaceandjustice.it/vicenza-camping2-post.php

More in English on the issues and movement at: http://www.peaceandjustice.it/vicenza/

Stay tuned for next international demo: Dec 15. Book your flights now! :)