Anti-Globalization Protesters Disrupt Celebration of Rome's Foundation
ROME, Italy -- (CNN -- Centurion News Network) -- Today's celebration of the founding of Rome on April 21, 753 BC, was disrupted by protests and demonstrations.
Large numbers of protesters clashed with celebrants in the Eternal City. Each year Rome marks the traditional day of its foundation nearly 3000 years ago with various events and fireworks. This year, however, the empire was embarrassed by the anti-imperial protesters who rallied in the center of Rome, holding signs such as "No Blood for Olive Oil!", "Rome Out of Britannia!", "Free Gaul from Roman Oppression!", "Caesar = Hitler!", "Roman Justice Is Judicial Murder," and "Hadrian's Wall Is An Illegal Land Grab From Oppressed Impoverished Picts!"
The most heated demonstration took place outside the newly reopened Ara Pacis, or Altar of Peace, built and dedicated by the emperor Augustus. The archaeological artifact and its new museum home were unveiled today in the Eternal City, to coincide with the birthday of Rome.
CNN was able to interview Max Moaner, one of the organizers of the protest.
"Altar of Peace?" he yelled, shaking his placard at the Ara Pacis building. "Peace? Rome did bring an end to unrest in the empire, but at the cost of thousands of gallons of blood! German, Celtic, Gallic, barbarian blood spilled for Rome! Yes, there were rebellions -- yes, people like Mithridates, Boudicca, and Arminius killed tens of thousands of Romans, including civilians. But they were freedom fighters!"
"What has Rome ever done for us?" he concluded. "Aside from aqueducts, roads, infrastructure, legal systems, public safety and security, firefighting units, schools, baths, art, literature, technological advances, transportation, and commercial prosperity, what has Rome ever done for us? Rome is an oppressive imperial power, a force of globalization, , built by crushing the precious diversity of local primitive tribes! Romanes eunt domus!"
Large numbers of protesters clashed with celebrants in the Eternal City. Each year Rome marks the traditional day of its foundation nearly 3000 years ago with various events and fireworks. This year, however, the empire was embarrassed by the anti-imperial protesters who rallied in the center of Rome, holding signs such as "No Blood for Olive Oil!", "Rome Out of Britannia!", "Free Gaul from Roman Oppression!", "Caesar = Hitler!", "Roman Justice Is Judicial Murder," and "Hadrian's Wall Is An Illegal Land Grab From Oppressed Impoverished Picts!"
The most heated demonstration took place outside the newly reopened Ara Pacis, or Altar of Peace, built and dedicated by the emperor Augustus. The archaeological artifact and its new museum home were unveiled today in the Eternal City, to coincide with the birthday of Rome.
CNN was able to interview Max Moaner, one of the organizers of the protest.
"Altar of Peace?" he yelled, shaking his placard at the Ara Pacis building. "Peace? Rome did bring an end to unrest in the empire, but at the cost of thousands of gallons of blood! German, Celtic, Gallic, barbarian blood spilled for Rome! Yes, there were rebellions -- yes, people like Mithridates, Boudicca, and Arminius killed tens of thousands of Romans, including civilians. But they were freedom fighters!"
"What has Rome ever done for us?" he concluded. "Aside from aqueducts, roads, infrastructure, legal systems, public safety and security, firefighting units, schools, baths, art, literature, technological advances, transportation, and commercial prosperity, what has Rome ever done for us? Rome is an oppressive imperial power, a force of globalization, , built by crushing the precious diversity of local primitive tribes! Romanes eunt domus!"
posted by Mad Minerva at 4:05 PM
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