Thousands of demonstrators marched through major Italian cities on Saturday, October 24, as authorities deployed soldiers and police. The demonstrations in Milan, Rome, and Turin followed a week of protests across Europe centered on grievances including the rising cost of living, housing affordability, and government corruption. While the march in Milan remained peaceful, authorities reported brief clashes between police and protesters in Rome and Turin.
The deployment followed unrest on October 17 and 18, during which groups on the fringes of peaceful protests in Milan set fire to bins, smashed windows, and looted shops. Milan police reported that approximately 2,000 young people were involved in that violence, leading to 45 arrests, including 34 minors. Similar clashes occurred the same weekend in Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo, and Turin. In response, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government announced new security measures, including a specific offense for "violent participation" in demonstrations and increased financial liability for parents of minors involved in vandalism.
In Milan on October 24, an additional 500 soldiers were stationed alongside approximately 5,000 police and security personnel. Soldiers were authorized to use plastic restraint ties near train stations but were not permitted to carry pepper spray or tasers. Luxury retailers in Milan including Gucci and Prada boarded their windows as a precaution, though most reopened by late afternoon. In Rome, police used water cannons to disperse an anti-war march after protesters and officers clashed near the Piazza della Repubblica.
Small business owners and parents are also affected by the government's proposed legal changes. Families could face direct financial penalties for property damage caused by their children under new liability measures. Furthermore, students and young workers, who represent the bulk of the "17 October" movement, are experiencing increased police scrutiny, including preventative detentions of minors. These groups report that they are protesting because the cost of living and housing prices have made their future economic stability uncertain.
The military deployment comes as the French government also said military forces would be deployed for protests on the same Saturday. In Italy, the government is reportedly planning tougher penalties for road blockades and the introduction of security measures targeting marginalized youth gangs. Protesters from the 17 October movement stated they intend to continue organizing marches every Saturday until the government collapses.