Italy braces for Saturday protests in eight major cities under heightened security
Italian authorities are stepping up security in eight major cities, including Rome and Milan, where protests are expected on Saturday after violence last weekend. The demonstrations target budget cuts and the rising cost of living.
Italy is preparing for protests in eight major cities on Saturday, including the capital Rome and Milan. Authorities are tightening security because demonstrations last weekend turned violent, a sign that tension persists as public frustration over the cost of living continues.
Who is protesting and why
The demonstrations come amid continuing protests by students, truck drivers and farmers against cuts to government spending and cost-of-living pressures, including high housing and fuel prices.
A group called the "17 October Movement" has urged people to protest in all eight cities at 3 p.m. on Saturday (4 p.m. Latvian time). Each city will see three demonstrations that merge at a single location, with venues announced only half an hour before the start. In Rome, the anti-war movement "Antiimperialist Axis" has organised a demonstration.
Security measures
Rome police said they would "saturate" both the physical and virtual space with officers, and would use drones and helicopters to monitor the demonstrations. They stressed that the aim remains to guarantee the full exercise of the right to express views, but in strict compliance with the law.
In central Milan, extra police sent in after last weekend's unrest will patrol. Mayor Giuseppe Sala said there are no plans to close the city. He admitted there were not enough officers last weekend and said the aim this time is to field more. He also urged shopkeepers not to shut up shop on Saturday: last weekend several stores were looted, while others closed or removed decorated window displays.
Government response
The right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni this week adopted a security decree. It eases the rules for detaining minors, creates a new offence of "violent participation in a demonstration" and imposes fines on parents for damage their children cause during protests. The government has also approved several measures to help truck drivers and fishermen cope with rising fuel prices.
On Friday, police said they had carried out dozens of raids targeting people suspected of taking part in looting and rioting during last weekend's protests.
