OVER 1,000 SURVIVORS OF THE EARTHQUAKE WHICH RAVAGED THE AVELLINO REGION OF SOUTHERN ITALY. IN 1962 STAGED A PROTEST MARCH IN ROME YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) TO DEMAND AN EARLY START ON THE REBUILDING PROGRAMME FOR THEIR AREA.

THE DEMONSTRATORS CAME FROM IRPINIA AND SANNIO, TWO DISTRICTS 62 MILES (100 KM) SOUTH OF NAPLES. MANY MORE NATIONAL COSTUME. THEY CHANTED SLOGANS SUCH AS "ITALY IS ALSO THE SOUTH" AND "HOME - YES, SLUMS - NO". THEIR PLACARDS PROCLAIMED: "THE EARTHQUAKE WAS EIGHT YEARS AGO !" THEY MARCHED FROM THE COLOSSEUM TO VENICE SQUARE.

THEY WERE PROTESTING AGAINST THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT'S DELAY IN APPROVING A SPECIAL BILL WHICH WILL ALLOW THE REBUILDING OF THEIR HOMES.