by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief
ROME (Worthy News) – Italian authorities said Sunday that nine people had been arrested after thousands protested against rising living costs, government policies and wars in the Middle East, with clashes reported in several major cities amid growing unrest across Europe.
Another 87 people were reported to judicial authorities, while 371 were taken to police stations for checks, including 110 minors, according to Italy’s Department of Public Security.
The figures followed Saturday’s demonstrations in Rome, Milan, Turin, Bologna and Florence, a week after protesters fought with police, looted shops and vandalized property.
Authorities deployed a heavy police presence, supported by soldiers, while many businesses closed as a precaution against further violence.
In Milan, where shops were attacked the previous weekend, the government deployed an additional 500 soldiers. Saturday’s demonstrations there remained largely peaceful.
POLICE CONFRONTATIONS
However, confrontations erupted in Turin, Bologna, Florence and Rome, where security forces used water cannons, tear gas or batons against demonstrators.
In the Italian capital, a group of demonstrators broke away from a march and entered the historic Colosseum, chanting slogans and displaying placards before being escorted out by authorities.
Elsewhere, in Bologna, demonstrators threw bottles and other objects at police after officers blocked their route through the city center. Security forces responded with water cannons and tear gas, while one protester was taken to hospital after being struck by police officers.
In Florence, tensions rose when protesters attempted to cross the Santa Trìnita Bridge, prompting police to use batons as demonstrators tried to break through a security cordon.
Despite the confrontations, Reuters witnesses reported no shop looting or property vandalism comparable to the previous weekend.
PROTEST ORGANIZER DETAINED
Italian police also detained a 30-year-old man in Milan suspected of involvement in organizing the so-called October 17 Movement, which authorities have linked to last weekend’s unrest.
The man, identified as Youssef Siher, was placed under investigation on suspicion of aggravated incitement to commit a crime.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the security operation, saying peaceful demonstrations must be protected without compromising public safety.
“The right to demonstrate must always be guaranteed, just as the right of citizens to live in their cities in safety,” she said in a social media statement Saturday evening.
The demonstrations came amid wider protests across Europe over living costs, housing, public services and government policies.
EUROPEAN UNREST
In neighboring France, hundreds of thousands demonstrated Saturday against economic hardship and other grievances, with the Interior Ministry reporting approximately 410,000 participants nationwide.
French authorities deployed around 70,000 police officers to prevent a repeat of the previous weekend’s violence, although further clashes and arrests were reported.
Protests also took place in Belgium, Spain and Albania, reflecting different national grievances, including economic inequality, education and government policies.
The unrest has presented European governments with growing challenges as they seek to address public dissatisfaction while preventing violence.
Back in Italy, Meloni’s government has approved tougher security measures following last weekend’s disturbances, while protesters have continued demanding action on rising living costs and opposing increased military spending.
Though Saturday’s rallies were less destructive than the previous weekend’s unrest, renewed confrontations highlighted ongoing social tensions in the European Union’s third-largest economy.
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