Protests erupted across Italy on Saturday, with significant participation from young demonstrators who gathered to express their frustrations amid a robust police presence aimed at preventing violence and looting similar to previous weeks. According to the police, the marches were largely peaceful, although there were instances of clashes in cities like Turin, Padua, Bologna, and Rome, where a small number of protesters stormed the Colosseum. Reportedly, nine arrests were made nationwide, with an additional 87 individuals forwarded to prosecutors, as per the Italian news agency ANSA.
In Milan, which witnessed its largest and most turbulent protests the prior weekend, police estimated that around 10,000 people took to the streets—five times the number from the previous demonstration. Many participants expressed their discontent with the high cost of living and the perceived shortcomings of Italy’s political establishment. They displayed hand-drawn signs criticizing low wages, expensive rents, and economic inequality, as well as opposition to Italy’s financial support of Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
“I look for work abroad every day of my life,” said Ilaria Carrozza, a 27-year-old design engineer. “And that’s not fair: This is my country, I want to stay here. But I can’t live like this.” Another protester, 26-year-old Manfredi Cacioppo from Sicily, demonstrated in solidarity with southern truckers and farmers who have recently protested escalating fuel prices due to the war in Iran. “It all comes from the same issue: money being spent on war,” he stated, advocating for investments in health, education, and housing instead.
Last weekend, Milan’s demonstrations turned chaotic, with groups of masked individuals igniting fires, looting businesses, and engaging in violent confrontations with police, resulting in an estimated $1.1 million in damages. Fifty-one arrests were made, mostly involving minors. Following these events, Milan’s left-wing mayor criticized the national police for being inadequately prepared, while Italy’s right-wing interior minister accused her of catering to the left.
In response to the unrest, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held an emergency meeting and announced plans for stricter penalties against violent protesters. Her administration also decided to deploy 500 soldiers to Milan over the weekend to enhance security. On Saturday, military vehicles and police vans were visible in the city’s main squares, and many businesses boarded up their windows as precautionary measures.
The organizational efforts for the protests encountered obstacles when authorities detained the owner of a social media account intended to disseminate information about meeting points for demonstrators. This led to confusion among participants, with many struggling to find locations to gather. Caterina Sironi, a 23-year-old university student, expressed her frustration: “We were lost and confused.” Others, like 19-year-old high school student Ruggero Lorenzi, traveled extensively without clear direction before finally converging with other demonstrators.
Despite challenges, many protesters in Milan aimed to maintain a peaceful dialogue, hoping their voices would resonate. Police in Milan reported no violence or property damage during the Saturday events, contrasting with incidents elsewhere where tear gas and water cannons were deployed. “We’re trying to emulate the French protests,” remarked Joshua Flores, a 21-year-old unemployed individual. “I hope this protest continues in a positive way.”
