Ventimiglia on the Italian-French border is the latest place to be hit by the so called “pitchfork “ anti-government protests which have spread across Italy. Police fired tear gas and clashed with demonstrators on what was the fourth day of rallies.<br /><br /> The Interior Minister Angelino Alfano warned parliament the unrest could “lead to a spiral of rebellion against national and European institutions.”<br /><br /> In Rome hundreds of students took to the streets outside a university where government ministers were attending a conference. “Our university isn’t a catwalk for those who peddle austerity” read a banner.<br /><br /> Marches, sit-ins and demos took place in other cities including Milan and Turin.<br /><br /> Fourteen policemen have been injured in the spate of protests with shops and other property damaged.<br /><br /> The “pitchfork” movement began as a loosely organised group of farmers from Sicily and their aims remain vague beyond demanding the government be replaced and parliament dissolved.<br /><br /> Larger demonstrations are planned in the capital next week.
