The anti-WTO and war march that began in Piazza Repubblica ended 6.30 Italian time. Protestors carried banners with slogans saying, "no to military and social war". Various immigrant groups were greeted with applauds by people on the streets throughout the march. During the demonstration, the student movement targeted two banks financing the defence industry covering windows with posters saying, "not in my name" and "no war".

In another action, students threw pink paint on mathematical research institute "Centro ricerche matematiche del Cnr" and private school Santa Maria. The police in Rome took no action after global and national criticism of the oppressive tactics used in Genoa during the notorious G8 summit which ended with the death of 23-year-old protestor Carlo Guiliani.

Anti-globalisation figure Luca Casarini called upon Italian soldiers to change their jobs on moral grounds and also promised to support any deserting soldiers.

The official estimates for the march were low with police claiming only 50,000 people protested against the WTO but others estimated double this figure. Independent alternative station GAP radio claimed it was around 200,000.

Only 40,000 people came out in a state-organised protest at Piazza del Popolo but others claimed that 20,000 people filled a virtually empty square. Berlusconi not only used his media empire to throw weight behind promoting the US led war in Afghanistan but also abused his political position to manipulate the Italian public.

The pro-US marchers carried American flags and chanted "not to forget" on what was being called a US-day atttempting to galvanise support for soldiers being sent to join US and UK troops in Afganistan. Berlusconi suggested an annual celebration of September 11 terrorist attack following the footsteps of deputy pm Gianfranco Fini famous for his political gaffes. Berlusconi's readiness to celebrate terrorism showed a marked disrespect of Italian people. He failed to mention the many Italian lives lost in the fascist terrorist attack that killed 83 people when the Italian Christian democrat government pursued the strategy of tension policy on August 2, 1980.