Tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across Italy as the USB trade union staged a general strike, demanding increased investment in education and measures to ease the mounting cost-of-living crisis. Around 50 protests were planned nationwide, with a heavy police presence amid concerns over a repeat of the violence that has marred demonstrations across Europe in recent weeks.
March in Rome and Milan
This morning, thousands of protesters marched from Rome's central Termini station, accompanied by two tractors and a taxi, passing the Colosseum while waving flags, displaying banners and chanting through megaphones. "We need more houses, not bombs," chanted the wave of protesters.
University pupil Beatrice Chilelli told AFP students were "at a breaking point". She said: "They can't afford to pay exorbitant tuition fees, and rent... which weighs heavily on their parents' shoulders."
Approximately 25,000 marched through Milan this morning. The protest began at the central train station but then headed outside the city. "Let's reclaim our future" read one banner unfurled by students in Milan. Police in riot gear sealed off surrounding streets, with no major clashes reported by midday.
Florence and Other Cities
Some 12,000 people came together in Florence, according to Dario Furnari of USB Florence. "We are taking to the streets alongside workers who are mobilising against the high cost of living and policies of war and rearmament," said the 'La Rete della Conoscenza, Link - Coordinamento Universitario' and 'Unione degli Studenti' student groups.
The student groups added that "rising prices—for rent, utility bills, and basic necessities—make it increasingly difficult to cover daily expenses, while wages and salaries continue to lose their purchasing power".
In Trieste, USB representative Sasha Colautti warned that the ongoing protests are only the beginning of what he described as a "hot autumn" of demonstrations and industrial unrest. He said: "We're angry and determined, but we're peaceful. We're not stopping here, however; this is the beginning of a hot autumn, because we must make our voices heard to change the country."
Pisa, Bologna, and Genoa
Elsewhere, Pisa attracted a long procession of protesters who marched "against weapons and high living costs". The march organised by the Unione Sindacale di Base included university and high school students from the city.
The Bologna protest march reached Via Stalingrado, near the Unipol building, where riot police were deployed to block access to the underpass leading towards the ring road. As the demonstration moved through the San Donato district, protesters chanted "Towards the ring road," before repeatedly demanding that officers let them through, shouting: "Let us pass" and "The workers want to pass."
A huge fire was also spotted in Genoa, where car tires were set alight in the middle of the road. Thousands of protesters also gathered in Cagliari, Naples, Turin and Verona.
Italian police say nine people were arrested and 371 others were briefly detained during protests across eight cities last Saturday. Of those arrested or detained, 110 were minors, according to a police statement.
