Holding aloft banners reading "The family will save the world" and "Let's defend our children", a sea of people crammed into the San Giovanni square near the Italian capital's historic centre to support family values.
The square, which can hold an estimated 300,000 people, was overflowing with the young, elderly and parents with toddlers, an AFP photographer said, with many more demonstrators spilling into nearby streets. Organisers for their part said one million people were taking part. Italian police never provide figures for demos.
"In my children's schools they are talking about families made up of two fathers or two mothers, without asking parents' permission," said 41-year old doctor Giuseppe Ripa, adding: "It's dangerous and wrong."
Fellow protester Piero Uroda, a 78-year-old pharmacist, said it was "not honest to say these things to the very young, it's not like they are students who can debate these ideas."
"I don't want gay marriage or gay adoption, the natural family is like ours," he said, pointing to his relatives gathered around.
The protest comes as the Italian senate examines a civil union bill, which Renzi wants to see go to a vote in the coming weeks, with the aim of legislation being enacted before the end of July.
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Awesome news!!
ReplyDeleteAnd the tide begins to shift.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like 99% of the population showed up!
ReplyDeleteYou know who the 1% that didn't show up are. Which brings up a good question, why does the perversion of 1 to 2 % of the population have to have the right to pollute the other 99%?.
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to keep the peace in my family by not saying anything for a very long time.
ReplyDeleteStand up to the Gay mafia !!!!
ReplyDeleteThought everyone was fine with civil unions as long as it isn't called marriage?
ReplyDeleteProblem is, renaming a "civil union" as a "marriage" is like renaming a "man" as a "woman". No matter how much lip service we hear, facts are still facts regardless of how you twist them.
ReplyDelete