Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says ‘serious’ students should study not protest
Student protests in Rome against government education reforms turned violent on Tuesday. About 3,000 protesters stormed the Italian capital’s city centre in an attempt to reach Parliament, where a bill to cut 8 billion euros (12 million USD) from the public education system was being passed. Some of the protesters tossed eggs, tomatoes and smoke bombs at police. An attempt to overturn a police van was thwarted after a riot squad chased after the students with tear gas. Similar, though more peaceful, protests were staged at cities across the country. “Premier Silvio Berlusconi brushed off the protests, saying ‘serious’ students were home studying,” the Associated Press reported.