On Saturday, Milan saw a massive peaceful march of thousands of young people while the city’s streets were guarded by soldiers and police. The presence of the troops, part of an additional 500‑person deployment announced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, helped keep the demonstration orderly and prevented the repeat of looting that marred protests in the capital and Turin last week.
Security measures and government response
Authorities deployed roughly 5,000 police officers and security personnel throughout Milan, supported by hundreds of soldiers already stationed in the city. Drone surveillance, railway‑station checks, rapid‑response units and online monitoring were used to spot any potential flashpoints. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto clarified that the soldiers were only permitted to use plastic restraint ties around train stations and were not equipped with pepper spray or tasers.
Luxury boutiques in the fashion district, including Omega, Tiffany and Gucci, boarded up their windows as a precaution. By late afternoon most shops reopened, though the Apple store remained closed. The mayoral hopeful Pierfrancesco Majorino joined the march, noting the day’s peaceful tone, while incumbent mayor Giuseppe Sala is not seeking re‑election.
Incidents in other cities
While Milan’s march stayed largely calm, brief clashes erupted between police and protesters in Rome and Turin. In Rome, a small group tried to force entry into the Colosseum before being escorted out by guards. A separate anti‑war rally in central Rome briefly clashed with police near Piazza della Repubblica, ending after water cannons were deployed.
In Turin, police detained several minors as a preventive measure. Across the border, Tirana’s police used water cannons on large crowds, and in Lisbon demonstrators protested recent housing‑policy changes announced by Prime Minister Luis Montenegro.
Protesters’ demands
The demonstrations covered a wide range of issues: education reform, anti‑corruption, anti‑war sentiment, pension protection and affordable housing. Students called for lower tuition fees and greater state investment in education, while retirees in Madrid and Lisbon marched to protect public pensions from privatization.
In Milan, protesters chanted slogans against the government and displayed banners reading “No to lies of the state.” A group dumped manure outside Italy’s energy regulator and burned a symbolic oversized electricity bill, images of which were broadcast on local television.
Government’s stance on the unrest
Prime Minister Meloni announced a “raft of measures” to address the unrest, including the additional soldier deployment and stricter penalties for minors, who police say comprised a large portion of the previous week’s violent protesters. Over the past two days, police arrested 45 individuals, 34 of whom were minors.
Officials also noted the involvement of a small contingent of about 30 far‑right activists linked to the Inter Milan soccer club, who were quickly isolated by police after chanting anti‑immigrant and anti‑Muslim slogans.
Looking ahead
The protests come ahead of snap elections in several European nations, including Spain’s upcoming vote. While the demonstrations reflect genuine grievances, the swift and coordinated security response in Milan demonstrates the government’s commitment to protecting public safety and preserving the city’s economic vitality.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
