FASANOvideogamearcade, Italy, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Protests involving civic associations, trade unions, environmentalists and local residents were held here Friday afternoon against the Group of Seven (G7) summit being held in Borgo Egnazia, a resort near Italy's southern town of Fasano.

Zoe Caramia, an Italian student participating in the protests told Xinhua that G7 countries focus on a small percentage of people who are already well off, neglecting the pressing issues faced by the majority, such as hunger, education, war and peace.

Holding banners with messages such as "You are Seven, We are Eight Billion," the approximately 300 demonstrators highlighted G7's failure to address social justice, protect civil rights and maintain global peace.

On Thursday when the summit commenced, demonstrations were also held in Brindisi, a city 60 km from the Fasano. Protesters held Palestinian flags and banners saying "Boycott the G7," "Stop Destroying the Planet," and "No More War."

The demonstrators also criticized the G7 for failing to play a positive role in environmental protection, social justice and maintaining peace.

Thursday evening, protesters gathered to host what they called a "poor dinner" as G7 leaders gathered for a lavish banquet.

Drissa Kone, one of the dinner organizers from Africa, told Xinhua that the event was a statement against the G7's disregard for the poor. "The G7 comes to have fun here, to have dinner, while there are poor people dying."

Lukas Hufert, an art student who came from Germany to participate in the protest, told Xinhua that the G7's approach to international affairs is "full of hypocrisy" and driven by selfish schemes, "offering no help to the world's vulnerable groups."

The G7 summit, which groups Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, was held from June 13 to June 15. Around 7,000 police officers have been deployed to maintain security and travel restrictions were put in place.■