ITALY: UMBERTO BOSSI MAKES DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE FOR PADANIA скачать в хорошем качестве

ITALY: UMBERTO BOSSI MAKES DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE FOR PADANIA

(16 Sep 1996) Italian/Nat At the end of three days of rallies and protests, Umberto Bossi, the leader of the Italian Northern League made a declaration of independence for his "state" of Padania in Northern Italy. Police estimate up to 50-thousand people throughout northern Italy turned up to support Bossi's march along the river Po. Bossi had predicted one and a half million people would show up. This was in sharp contrast to the numerous massive pro-unity rallies organised throughout the country, especially the one in Milan which attracted some 100-thousand people on Sunday. Where the River Po flows into the sea at Venice was the final destination for secessionist leader Umberto Bossi. His trip along the river which effectively divides the north and south of Italy had taken him 650 kilometres (400 miles) and three days to complete. All along the waterway which winds through Italy's richest industrial and agricultural areas, hard core Northern League supporters had gathered for rallies and picnics. His reception at the final rally was tumultuous and his fighting talk of independence was just what the crowd had come to hear. SOUNDBITE: (Italian) "(This is the) Declaration of independence and sovereignty of Padania. We people of Padania have come together along the great river Po and in Venice." SUPER CAPTION: Umberto Bossi, Northern League party leader. Bossi's Northern League Party has risen to prominence throughout the 1990s by appealing to northerners who are tired of corruption, bureaucracy and heavy taxes. He appealed to their belief that the "hard working, prosperous north" was subsidising the "poorer, crime-ridden south." SOUNDBITE: (Italian) "We ask to express ourselves freely in the integrity of our individual nature. The Italian state has always fought against the autonomy of our region." SUPER CAPTION: Umberto Bossi, Northern League party leader. This weekend's three day rally was the largest public demonstration yet by Bossi's party and it was full of symbolic gestures. Not only did they raise their own flag but Bossi was on the specially printed bank notes and supporter could even vote for the separate northern state in mock polling booths. Many of the demonstrators said a secession drive was the best way to push the government for reforms. SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Up for Padania, we've had enough with Rome. Enough is enough SUPER CAPTION: Voxpop, Padania supporter Enthusiastic supporters purchased a vast range of memorabilia but the biggest show of support was meant to be the creation of a human chain along the length of the River Po. Unfortunately they did not have the numbers to make it work. Despite Bossi's predictions that one and a half million people would show up for the rallies, police estimate the numbers at no more than 50-thousand. But there has been a massive reaction against the Padania movement from people throughout the rest of Italy. Up to 150-thousand people marched for unity in Milan to show their disapproval of secession. Children wearing T-shirts saying "I want to grow up in Italy" were at the head of the rally which was organised by the right wing party of the National Alliance. Its leader Gianfranco Fini was amongst the crowds which vastly outnumbered the Padania crowds. The National Alliance rally was just one of many protests. Flags from all over Italy were joined together in a symbolic gesture of unity in Venice's Saint Mark's Square. Its organiser said just because people are frustrated with the government does not mean they support secession. SOUNDBITE: (Italian) Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...