The mobilizations called in Milan, Turin or Bologna to protest against the rising cost of life in Italy have led to violent clashes between protesters and security forces that have left images of throwing stones, firecrackers and bottles in the main streets of the city, as well as material damage and dozens of arrests. The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has condemned the "violent" attacks because "demonstrating is a right" but "putting our cities with iron and fire is not."
The capital of Lombardy has recorded the most serious incidents during the day on Sunday, October 18, convened by the 'Italy in the Square' committee, which has brought together more than 5,000 people to protest against inflation, low salaries, the deterioration of public health and the conditions of the educational system, in the broader context of widespread criticism of the Government.
The rally began in the popular Piazza del Duomo, with participants chanting slogans against the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and the Vice President of the Council of Ministers, Matteo Salvini, and displaying Italian and Palestinian flags, as well as banners in favor of families and against spending on war.
The march has given rise to riots when groups of hooded young people have begun to throw stones, fireworks and firecrackers at members of the riot police, who have responded with charges to disperse the participants.
Information from the ANSA news agency points to dozens of detainees, including numerous minors, and several injured, including at least four officers and 20 protesters. Likewise, damage has been reported to shop windows, historic buildings and ATM structures as around a hundred young people dressed in black have spread to the Victor Manuel II Gallery, where luxury businesses have come to lower their blinds with customers and workers inside.
Bologna and Turin join the protest
In Bologna, the riots have concentrated next to the railway station, where groups of hooded men have thrown stones, bottles, smoke bombs and other objects, in addition to setting up barricades.
The Police have used water cannons and tear gas to prevent protesters from approaching the square. Seven people have been arrested and the station has been closed preventively, as reported by the same agency.
In Turin, protests against fuel prices, bills and insufficient salaries have also led to clashes, highlighting an episode involving a group of young people who broke into the Feltrinelli bookstore in Porta Nuova and threw books on the ground. The Police have arrested a dozen people, ten of them minors, according to preliminary reports collected by the Italian press.
Meloni condemns the riots
The Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has condemned the attacks against the State security bodies and forces in the framework of these mobilizations and has expressed her support for the agents.
"Once again, the women and men of law enforcement have had to face the violence of criminals who, even through organized groups, take advantage of the demonstrations to seek confrontation and sow chaos," he said in a message published on social networks.
Meloni has thanked the police action and has defended the right of citizens to enjoy their cities without fear of suffering acts of vandalism, emphasizing that "demonstrating is a right" but "putting our cities to iron and fire is not." In this context, the prime minister has demanded that the opposition parties explicitly condemn the riots.
For his part, the mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, has recognized the legitimacy of the social unrest, although he has also condemned the reported attacks. "The reasons for the protest were understandable. However, the violence against the police and the serious damage caused to the city cannot be justified," he declared.
