Report on the struggle of the 'Pitchfork Movement' in Sicily which has seen a major blockades around the island (including the port of Palermo) for the past four days in protest against rising petrol prices.

Hundreds of heavy vehicles have blocked the port of Palermo in a protest by hauliers that will last until tomorrow. Two of the three boats stuck in the port since Monday left yesterday evening, headed for Naples and Genoa respectively.

In Sicily, today (Thursday 19th) has been the fourth day of the blockade and the Aias (Associazione Imprese Autotrasportatori Sicilia - hauliers' association) hauliers, farmers and the 'Pitchfork Movement' don't seem to be ceding one milimetre: they call for government intervention to reduce the price of petrol in Sicily.

To get what they are asking for, protesters have blockaded different major junctions, blocking traffic at city entrances, the Palermo-Messina railway line and the petro-chemical plant in Gela. The stoppage has led to a lack of petrol at filling stations, especially in Palermo.

The same has happened to food provision that has started to run out in supermarkets which are now short of supplies.

This is a really rough translation from the InfoAut website; if anyone sees something I've missed then just post below.