Slow Reconstruction
June 17, 2009
Tuesday's protest coincided with a parliamentary session, where lawmakers were debating a government bill containing earthquake relief measures.
The earthquake in the central Italian region of Abruzzo killed almost 300 people and left 60,000 homeless. In recent weeks, many residents in L'Aquila have become frustrated with reconstruction efforts, and have accused Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of not keeping the promises he made following the disaster.
Most of L'Aquila remains uninhabitable and protestors say that damaged buildings in the town's historic center are getting worse.
One banner at Tuesday's protest read: "Yes we camp, thanks Silvio," a reference to Berlusconi's post-earthquake gaffe, when the Prime Minister said the 30,000 people living in emergency tents should think of the time as a "camping experience."
Berlusconi initially won praise for his response to the earthquake. He moved cabinet meetings to the region and also decided to move next month's G8 summit to L'Aquila in an attempt to boost the local economy. He has said that people will be moved out of the emergency tents into proper housing by September.
Author: ca/AFP/dpa/Reuters
Editor: Mark Hallam