Protest death divides Genoese

The impromptu shrine for dead protester

By BBC News Online's Lars Bevanger in Genoa

On a normal Saturday, Piazza Alimonda would be bristling with locals, enjoying their morning cappuccino and debating the politics of the day.

Today people are gathered around an impromptu shrine to a young man, shot dead as he attacked police in their car.

It is as if I knew this person. He might have protested violently, but this is just tragic

Laura Scalfi
Genoa protester

He was one of a group who chose to protest violently against the G8 summit here.

But on the spot where he died, there are messages of grief and regret from protesters committed to non-violence.

Someone from the anti-capitalist group Tute Bianchi has put down their trademark foam body shield and helmet next to the plants and flowers left there earlier.

'Tragic'

Laura Scalfi came to Genoa to take part in the main demonstration, on the second day of the summit.

She did not know the dead youth, but still dedicated a personal prayer as she lit incense, adding it to the flowers and written notes of condolence.

Barbiere: "The anarchists got what they wanted"

"The atmosphere here in the square is so special. It is as if I knew this person. He might have protested violently, but this is just tragic."

As the morning wears on, the square slowly fills up with a mixture of locals, media and some protesters. Everybody has got something to say about what has happened.

Three local men argue loudly about the right to demonstrate, about whether people should stick to their home towns and not take their grief all to one place.

One blames the interior ministry for what has happened.

Expected it to happen

An elderly couple who live nearby say they are very disappointed and angry.

Genoese argue summit rights and wrongs

"And we are afraid of course. We are sorry he died, but if he had stayed away this would not have happened. Democracy and peaceful protest is the way to change things, not this."

Maurizio Barbiere has come to Piazza Alimonda to drink in his local bar. Finding it closed, he joins in the debate.

"I feel very sad. The anarchists got what they wanted. But I also saw, from my window, 30 policemen beat a group of only four people. I was expecting something like this would happen."