Italy deployed heavy security ahead of demonstrations, which remained peaceful despite strict measures and past violence. Protests against budget cuts and rising costs continue.
Security measures in Italy before protests
Security forces were heavily deployed in Italy ahead of demonstrations on Saturday, October 24, following violent clashes the previous weekend. The government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, had approved strict security reforms in response to the unrest, which bore similarities to demonstrations in France.Arrests and detentions during the protests
According to police figures, nine people were arrested and 371 were briefly detained during the demonstrations. Police conducted dozens of searches and arrests before the planned gatherings, aiming to prevent any repeat of the previous weekend’s violence.Protesters gather in major cities
Despite the reinforced security measures, a few thousand people demonstrated in Rome and Milan. In Milan, around 3,000 people marched, paralyzing traffic in the city center, while a similar number gathered in Rome near the Colosseum and the central train station, facing rows of riot police.Military presence and public response
Soldiers in combat gear were seen moving in groups in Milan, with military vehicles and a water cannon stationed nearby. Helicopters flew over Piazza del Duomo. Some shops closed earlier or boarded up their windows, while others stayed open to show defiance against panic.Public statements and store owners' stance
Alessandro Buhne, 30, an employee at the men's ready-to-wear store Philipp Plein, said the store wanted to send the message that it was not afraid of the demonstrators. He added that they wanted to reassure tourists that they were safe if they entered the store.Protesters' demands and government response
These demonstrations are taking place as students, truck drivers, and farmers protest against budget cuts and the rising cost of living, particularly housing and fuel. The government has approved financial measures to help truck drivers and fishermen cope with the surge in fuel prices since the war in the Middle East.Government actions and legal changes
After the riots and looting last weekend in Milan, the government deployed 500 soldiers and adopted a decree easing the rules for detaining minors and imposing fines on their parents for any damage caused during the demonstrations. Police arrested a 30-year-old man suspected of being the leader of the "October 17 Movement," a group that called for mobilization on Saturday.
