G8 summit tainted by death

The death on Friday of a young Italian protestor shot by police has achieved what both G8 leaders and the majority of peaceful protestors feared - overshadowed the real issues at stake. The massive security measures that were put in place by the Italian authorities did not prevent violence on the one day of the summit when no official demonstrations were planned. The mass demonstration planned for Saturday is going ahead despite the death and the organisors hope that issues such as debt relief and the fight against AIDS will get the attention they deserve.

The death on Friday of a young Italian protestor shot by police has achieved what both G8 leaders and the majority of peaceful protestors feared – overshadowed the real issues at stake. The massive security measures that were put in place by the Italian authorities did not prevent violence on the one day of the summit when no official demonstrations were planned. The mass demonstration planned for Saturday is going ahead despite the death and the organisors hope that issues such as debt relief and the fight against AIDS will get the attention they deserve.