WOMBLES arrive in Genoa!!!!

By Uncle Italia

06:33 19/07/01

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The W.O.M.B.L.E.S. genoa brigade have arrived ready for action!!!

Some tales from our adventures thus far....

Thursday morning, we are in Genoa finally!! How?

Well, we were welcomed to Italy in bologna by some lovely italian hosts - invited us in to the TPO social centre and gave us bedding, armour, shields, beer, food...what more could one want? Some of us had come via Trieste, other's across Europe by train or car....now, we started to

assemble....

Tuesday was the day of the meet-up, the day we were able to finish our 'protection' and organise for the days ahead. The building we were in was an old aquarium, the most massive free space that any of us had ever imagined (fortunately, we had only a few remaining fish to share the

building with, living in the fishtanks supporting the bar; most of the fish had gone elsewhere). There were three bars, a massive concert hall, a theatre, a dance floor, and an indymedia computer centre. We were given

the keys and told to treat the place as if it was ours.

So a long night of bonding and scheming occurred on Tuesday...we stayed up discussing plans and drinking alcohol, the pasta having gone down well. The following morning we woke late and made final preparations - food,

water, vinegar, white overalls for the march to the station.....

....and through Bologna we went!! Twenty British WOMBLES womble'd up!! Along with more than twice that number of Tutte Bianche....in total, there were maybe 1000 - 1500 activists on the Bolognaise train; we think many have overalls and protection in their packs.

And then the train journey :-)

A six hour trip across italy (we bought tickets!!! but only about 7 quid each), stopping along the way to to pick up others...Modena, Parma....each time our banners:

ANARCHY + COMMUNISM = :-)

and

PEOPLE NOT PROFIT

hanging from the windows for people to know it was us....

We got to Genoa/Genova about midnight. Shit loads of police: political, civil and military, but not any hassle, just lots of cheering. Somehow we all squeezed on the bus (squashed a few italians, but SOLIDARITY in numbers) and made it to Carlini Stadium - still in White Overalls. The

reception was rapturous!!!

The Carlini Stadium is a large sports stadium, the stands probably have room for 10,000 spectators. It is now the home of the CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE bloc. There are massive marquees covering the pitch, as well as loads of small tents that people have pitched around the place. Space is at a premium, but we all can share!! There are some catering facilities, media and information points, and NO police in sight this morning.

So, today, we organise ourselves. There will be discussions about tactics and a huge rehearsal this afternoon prior to the Migrant's March - a peaceful demonstration in support of FREEDOM WITHOUT BORDERS (Campsfield we are thinking of you!!). Then, tomorrow, there is the day of civil disobedience - something which has not yet been authorised by the authorities (almost all other activities HAVE got authorisation).....The news is that there will be several different blocs, many different

actions. White Overalls, striking Metal Workers, the Pink bloc, the Silver bloc, etc....

We are having fun, making good use of the things that we find....

Ciao!!

WOMBLES ON TOUR