I considered for quite awhile whether or not I should join la manifestazione. The protest seemed undefined to me. Contro la guerra, of course, but what else? Most of those waiting looked like they were out for a day in the springtime sun -- benign and curious.

The chants I heard ran the gamut. Anti-Berlusconi rants, a famous Italian song called "Bella Ciao". During the war, it was sung by the Partisans -- i partigiani -- an underground group that fought against the Nazis. But, the folks that jolted me were those chanting "Yankee Go Home." Yankee GO Home? From Rome, I thought? You don't want our tourist dollars?

Of course these groups were in the minority that day. But it struck me, profoundly in fact, that though I would absolutely have joined the protest in America, it would be wrong, very wrong, for me to add my presence to this Italian demonstration. Their agenda was simply different from mine. I have no battle with Berlusconi, though I don't much like him. How could I insert myself into a political discourse I don't even understand? The song "Bella Ciao" bothered me. Is there not something different between fighting against an evil enemy, the Nazis, on your own soil -- than to protest a war you don't want or like that is being fought somewhere else?

In the end, I made my decision. I may be against the war. But, Europe was not the place to show my dissension. I did not join La Manifestazione.