Rome's Chinese Community Mourns Deaths

Rome's Chinese Community Mourns Deaths

The Chinese community in Italy wants justice and more security. The brutal¹ killing², last week, of Zhou Zeng and his baby, Joy, was too much even for people who are used to keeping to themselves and not complaining. But this level of violence was unacceptable for many in the neighborhood, and the Chinese felt they could not remain silent this time.
Thousands of Chinese took to the streets in Rome for a vigil on Wednesday evening, to call for greater security. Protesters marched through the city, holding large photos of Zeng and his daughter. They also held candles and white and yellow flowers and shouted out "No to violence." There was grief as well as indignation.
Among protesters was Yan Xiaoping. He says this was a tragedy; this violence is to be considered against all immigrants.
Xiaoping says no one can remain silent in the face of such behavior because a city like Rome cannot afford it. That is why people of other nationalities and hundreds of Italians also joined the march, which started in the heart of Rome's Chinatown and ended where the killing took place, in a suburb of the city.
"I think most of the people have the same voice; that is, no violence in Roma. Because Roma is a tourist city and if this news spreads people are afraid and they will never come to Rome and this will hurt Roma's economy," said Xiaoping.
Italians are only too aware the crime level has been on the rise in the capital. Many of them feel the economic crisis plays an important part in this.
Anita Spang is a young Italian who lives in the area where the killing took place. She too decided³ to take part in the demonstration⁴.
Spang says she felt she wanted to be present because it is a moment of tension among the various cultures and, although it is still unclear who carried out the killing, this is a moment of mourning and of exchange.
Also in the crowd was the spokeswoman of the Chinese community in Italy, Lucia King, who says it is no longer possible to hide the fact that Chinese are targeted because they are thought to have plenty of ready money. Many shop owners have their own vigilantes.
King says the problem of security for the Chinese has been underestimated in recent months because the community has been living in fear and anguish⁵. She complains that it took two lives to finally come to the realization⁶ that things can no longer continue.
Zeng's wife, who was present when the killings⁷ occurred, escaped with minor⁸ injuries. Police in Italy and abroad are searching for two men of North African appearance who have been identified as suspects in the case.
The Chinese community is the fourth largest in Italy. About 150,000 Chinese are believed to be living in Italy. Now, they are preparing for a funeral. The Chinese New Year is Saturday. This year, it will be a significant event in Rome, attended by the Chinese ambassador and the Rome's mayor.

1 brutal   

adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的

参考例句：

• She has to face the brutal reality.她不得不去面对冷酷的现实。
• They're brutal people behind their civilised veneer.他们表面上温文有礼，骨子里却是野蛮残忍。

2 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

3 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

4 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

5 anguish   

n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼

参考例句：

• She cried out for anguish at parting.分手时，她由于痛苦而失声大哭。
• The unspeakable anguish wrung his heart.难言的痛苦折磨着他的心。

6 realization   

n.实现；认识到，深刻了解

参考例句：

• We shall gladly lend every effort in our power toward its realization.我们将乐意为它的实现而竭尽全力。
• He came to the realization that he would never make a good teacher.他逐渐认识到自己永远不会成为好老师。

7 killings   

谋杀( killing的名词复数 )； 突然发大财，暴发

参考例句：

• His statement was seen as an allusion to the recent drug-related killings. 他的声明被视为暗指最近与毒品有关的多起凶杀案。
• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。

8 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。