Thousands of young people demonstrated Saturday across several Italian cities including Milan, Rome and Turin, with authorities implementing extensive security measures to prevent a recurrence of violent clashes and looting from the previous week. The Italian government deployed an additional 500 soldiers to Milan alongside existing security forces, bringing the total deployment to approximately 5,000 police and security personnel. Police also detained several minors as a preventive measure, and authorities employed drone surveillance, railway station checks and online monitoring to track potential violence.
The demonstration in Milan proceeded without major incidents, though brief clashes between protesters and police occurred in Rome and Turin. In Milan, luxury retailers boarded up storefronts in advance, though most reopened by late afternoon. Protesters in Milan gathered in large numbers as evening fell, voicing opposition to government policies and various grievances. A group of protesters deposited manure outside Italy’s energy regulator and burned a symbolic oversized electricity bill. The march concluded peacefully outside the Milan Polytechnic, over 3 kilometers from the city center.
Government officials announced investigations into organizers of the Oct. 17 movement, which has driven recent Italian protests. Police indicated that last week’s violence and looting involved approximately 2,000 very young protesters, with 45 arrests made including 34 minors. Premier Giorgia Meloni announced measures including tougher penalties for minors involved in violent demonstrations.
Beyond Italy, large demonstrations occurred across multiple European cities Saturday, including Madrid, Lisbon and Tirana. The protests encompassed diverse issues spanning education policy, housing, pensions, anti-war sentiment and corruption concerns. In Rome, authorities heightened security around luxury shopping districts and historical sites. In Tirana, riot police deployed water cannons against large protest groups, with some protesters setting government buildings on fire and throwing projectiles at police.
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