Italian president condemns violent Rome protests

(ANSA) – Rome, November 22 – Italian President Giorgio Napolitano on Friday blasted protesters for violence in Rome on Wednesday during a visit from French President Francois Hollande.

“We must oppose an ethic that does not nurture respect for the foundations of civil coexistence and reflect on these outrageous acts of organized vandalism,” said Napolitano.

His statements were delivered in a letter to the headquarters of the center-left Democratic Party, which was targeted by protesters and is near the French embassy. Protesters haled from various anti-government and anti-austerity groups, as well as the No-TAV movement, which opposes the construction of a high-speed rail connection linking France to Italy. Protesters hurled bottles, bricks and firecrackers at police, several of whom were injured. A number of protesters also reported being injured by police batons. Hollande, who was in Rome discussing EU policies with Italian Premier Enrico Letta, was nowhere near protests.