Marino supporters protest at PD headquaters

(ANSA) - Rome, October 12 - Supporters of resigning Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino gathered Monday at the national headquarters of Premier Matteo Renzi's Democratic Party (PD).
    Marino resigned Friday under pressure from his own PD party in what supporters say was an orchestrated attack because the mayor prosecuted corrupt officials and angered the Vatican with his stance in favor of gay marriage.
    Protesters carried signs saying "Rome wants its mayor back", "Rome Mafia thanks the PD and the Vatican", "Marino, honest Rome wants you" were among other expressions of support for Marino, who was elected in 2013 with 64% of the vote and who is set to make his resignation official today.
    "They took our vote away from us," said one woman. "The PD drove out Marino, who was elected by us citizens. In two and a half years, he did what these guys over here haven't done in 40 years".
    "He took on the powers that be," agreed another protester.
    "This way the PD has lost a lot of votes," said another woman supporter of Marino.
    "They can forget about my vote now".
    A fellow protester agreed.
    "I'm a PD voter," he said. "If the mayor (Marino) runs again on a PD ticket I'll vote for the PD, if - as we hope he does - Marino stays in office as a PD mayor I'll vote PD, but if the mayor runs again on a civic list, I will vote for him and not the PD".
    "Marino was fired by the Vatican," argued another supporter.
    Marino technically has 20 days to withdraw his resignation or make it permanent.