Popular Struggle in the Streets of Italy

Featured image: Clashes between protesters and police in Turin, Italy, on October 24. Source: PBS

As we previously reported, calls were made for weekly protests during the recent protests on October 17. In response, vilifying the clashes of the previous weekend, Meloni had mobilized an additional 500 soldiers to Milan, in anticipation of protests on October 24. Despite the mobilizations of the State, demonstrations were carried out throughout several cities in Italy.

In Rome, State security was also heightened, locking down luxury shopping streets. In central Rome, an anti-war march was carried out, which was attacked by the police at Piazza della Republica, where the police fired at the demonstration with water cannons, and clashes broke out, with protesters responding to the attacks by throwing street debris and fireworks. At one point a group of demonstrators broke into the Colosseum. According to reports, around 96 people were arrested.

In Milan, protests were carried out against the cost of living, with thousands taking to the streets. A group of protesters dumped manure outside the offices Italy’s Energy Regulator, and burned a symbolic electricity bill.

In Bologna, a demonstration began in Piazza del Nettuno, in the historic center, and marched through the city toward Piazza dei Martiri, where clashes erupted with the police, who were attempting to block the procession from reaching the station.

The police fired tear gas and used water cannons against the protesters in an attempt at dividing the march. The march dispersed, but clashes continued first on Via Marconi and then on Via Riva di Reno.

Also in Turin, clashes broke out after police attacked the popular protests. Marches were carried out on October 24 against the rising costs of living, with the leading banner of the march reading “We won’t pay for the war, Turin is against rearmament, no data centers, and high fuel prices.” After the march moved towards Via Po, police charged the protesters with shields and batons, and clashes broke out.