Italian Premier Matteo Renzi on
Friday said clashes between police and anti-government
demonstrators in front of the National Research Council (CNR)
were "fairly incomprehensible".
Renzi and Education Minister Stefania Giannini were at CNR
as part of a celebration for the 30th anniversary of the first
Internet connection in Italy.
"We're talking about how the Internet can help the country
to create competitiveness. It's one of those things that makes
no sense to fight over; on the contrary, as many people as
possible need to be involved," Renzi said.
The clashes came after a peaceful march of about 500 people
organized by labour unions, social centres and university
collectives, joined by the group 'Victims of the
Save-the-Banks.'
During the march, protesters yelled slogans against the
Renzi government and his Democratic Party (PD).
When protesters reached the cordoned-off space in front of
CNR, police in riot gear launched baton charges in an attempt to
push the demonstrators back.
The protesters responded by throwing objects and
vegetables.
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