March 1

Protesters on via Cavour. It doesn't take more than a quick glimpse at any American newspaper's website to realize that Italy is in the midst of political and economic turmoil. What is strange is that there is no evidence on the streets of Florence. No political posters, no protests, no pesky flyers. Besides my professors mentioning the unemployment rate, I would be completely unaware that anything was unnormal. Today, however, I saw the first protest I have seen since coming to Italy. The group was small (as you can see), and were simply shouting the same chant over and over. Not at all threatening--it even looks like some of the protesters are more interested in talking amongst themselves than shouting--yet the group was surrounded by police officers that are, sadly, out of the frame because their uniforms always make me laugh. From what I could tell, the group was protesting the corruption in the Funzione Pubblica--their department of public services equivalent.