Hundreds of Thousands Take to the Street in Nationwide Strikes in Italy
Featured image: Demonstrations in Rome, Italy, against increased militarization and rising cost in living. Source: X
On October 30, hundreds of thousands took to the streets of Italy in a nationwide strike, against the rising cost of living and against increasing militarization of the country. Demonstrations were carried out throughout the country in 50 cities, with reports of clashes between protesters and the State repressive forces in several of them.
You can read our last report on the wave of popular struggle in Italy here:
For the past couple of weeks, protests have erupted throughout Europe against rising cost of living and repressive measures of the State. These struggles are also being waged in Italy, as massive mobilizations have taken place all over the country, despite facing attacks from the police. This Friday, calls had been made for a general strike, and heeding the call hundreds of thousands took the street.
In Rome, the main march, with more than 20,000 people participating, started at Piazza dei Cinquecento, and proceeded through central Rome toward Via dei Fori Imperiali, where an encampment was put up by protesters. Clashes later took place around the Colosseum, where protesters erected burning barricades with garbage bins and electric scooters. Attempts were also made to cross the Tiber river, heading in the direction of Parliament. Police attacked the demonstrators with water cannons, who responded by throwing bottles and fireworks. Eight people were reportedly detained.
In Turin, thousands of people had taken to the streets in multiple mobilizations throughout the city. The main march moved through the city center, and was attacked by police, who charged at the demonstration after the march reached Piazza Castello, attacking with batons. Demonstrators defended themselves by throwing street debris. Around the prefecture of the city, the police used water cannons against protesters trying to pass by the police cordons.
In Vicenza, protesters carried out a blockade of the Ponte Alto interchange, and as the protesters attempted to break through the police cordon, the police responded by attacking with tear gas and water cannons. Four officers were injured in the clashes.
In Mestre, a march of students and workers reached Corso del Popolo, where police blocked the route toward the overpass. At the police cordon protesters tried to push through, but were attacked with baton charges by the police. Reports estimates that around six officers were injured in the clashes.
In Milan, tens of thousands took to the streets in multiple mobilizations. Students started from Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, outside the Politecnico, while the workers’ march assembled at Piazza Duca d’Aosta. The two groups converged around Piazzale Loreto and continued together toward the city’s northeast. The march went on to occupy Milan’s eastern ring road, the Tangenziale Est, blocking all traffic.
In addition to the mobilizations in the cities, the strike was also joined by dock workers, who shut down ports for a 24 hour strike against arms shipments, with eight ports throughout Italy joining in on the strike, including Ancona, Civitavecchia, Genoa, Gioia Tauro, Livorno, Ravenna, Salerno, and Trieste.
