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Rediff.com  » News » In PHOTOS: Rubbish protests in Italy

In PHOTOS: Rubbish protests in Italy

Last updated on: October 27, 2010 10:00 IST

Image: A woman pushes a stroller near a pile of garbage in downtown Naples
Photographs: Agnfoto/Reuters

The streets of Naples are stinking! More overpowering than the stench of piled-up garbage is the resolute of the Residents of Terzigno, a municipality in the Province of Naples, who are protesting against plans to build a large garbage tip on the edge of the town.

In 2007, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi had pledged to create a solution to country's ever-growing problem with litter. But the move to open a new waste dump near Terzigno, have triggered a series of demonstrations in which campaigners are preventing access to the existing garbage tip.

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Rubbish protests in Italy

Image: Cars drive past garbage trucks burned by protesters in Terzigno
Photographs: Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters
The blockade means waste disposal workers are unable to collect refuse, and it has been reported that 2,000 tones of rubbish has already piled up on the streets of Naples.


Rubbish protests in Italy

Image: ars drive past garbage trucks burned by protesters in Terzigno
Photographs: Alessandro Bianchi/Reuters
"The bad smell bothers us, but it is the lesser evil," a schoolteacher participating in the protest said, adding: "The most important thing is that we are dying here, there is leukaemia, lymphoma, myeloma, there are the most terrible diseases around."


Rubbish protests in Italy

Image: A man walks on a street full of rubbish in Naples
Photographs: Ciro De Luca/Reuters
Two parents added that their children were suffering from respiratory problems and paediatricians had advised them to move away from the area.

"They have ruined our lives, the lives of our children who are growing up in a world of rubbish. They are destroying our lives day by day," said one.


Rubbish protests in Italy

Image: A man looks at a banner during a protest against the opening of a new dump in Terzigno
Photographs: Agnfoto/Reuters
Some protesters burnt Italian flags and set cars on fire.


Rubbish protests in Italy

Image: A man tries to block the way of the police during a protest in Terzigno
Photographs: Agnfoto/Reuters
The Italian government, in an effort to negotiate with protestors, has offered to put plans for the rubbish dumpsite on-hold indefinitely.

However, as part of the arrangement demonstrators will have to agree to end the violent protests currently taking place in the small town.


Rubbish protests in Italy

Image: Riot policemen arrest a protester during violent overnight protests against the opening of a new waste dump in Terzigno
Photographs: Ciro De Luca/Reuters
Guido Bertolaso, Italy's head for the civil protection agency, proposed the offer to mayors in Naples on Sunday. However, regional governors are refusing the deal saying there are no guarantees that the dumpsite will be delayed. Further meetings were held on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing issue.


Rubbish protests in Italy

Image: A car burns during a violent overnight protests against the opening of a new waste dump in Terzigno
Photographs: Ciro De Luca/Reuters
At a press conference, Bertolaso said that the proposal would see plans for the new site suspended indefinitely while tests are carried out at an existing dumpsite in order to determine the health threats to local residents.


Rubbish protests in Italy

Image: Firemen extinguish a burning truck after violent protests against the opening of a new waste dump in Terzigno
Photographs: Stefano Renna/Reuters
Bertolaso also said that rubbish that has been collecting in Naples' streets will be removed.

Bertolaso also warned campaigners that the government would go forward with its plans unilaterally if a deal could not be reached quickly.


Rubbish protests in Italy

Image: A demonstrator wears a mask during a protest against the opening of a new waste dump in Terzigno
Photographs: Stefano Renna/Reuters
However, local residents have continued to protest despite the government's offers to halt the dumpsite's opening.