Thousands march across Italy as protests bring isolated clashes with police

Thousands of people took to the streets on Saturday across Italy's main cities to protest over a range of issues, including the rising cost of living, Giorgia Meloni's government and the wars in the Middle East.

The protests were mostly peaceful, although some moments of tension were reported towards the evening in Turin, Florence, Bologna and Rome.

After last weekend's violence, the government enacted a significant new security operation, with police officers and soldiers patrolling city centres.

In Milan, 500 soldiers were also deployed in response to attacks on shops last Saturday.

In Florence, as in Turin, Milan and Rome, protesters did not organise a single main march, but instead small groups gathered in different parts of the city and later joined up. They repeatedly tried to reach the city centres but were blocked by security forces.

Protesters enter the Colosseum

In Rome, tensions flared when a small group of protesters broke away from the main march on Via Cavour and headed for the Colosseum.

There, they managed to enter the Flavian Amphitheatre, chanting slogans and holding up placards. The authorities later escorted them out of the historical site as the march continued through the streets of the city.

Later on, a young demonstrator also stood in front of a police water cannon truck, which continued for a couple of metres before the young man almost ended up beneath it. Officers then forcefully dragged him away, videos circulating on social media show.

In Florence, tensions also spiked when demonstrators tried to cross the Santa Trìnita bridge, but officers maintained the security cordon and used batons as protesters pushed to break through the barrier.

In Bologna, a march was prevented from continuing towards Via Marconi and Via Reno, with bottles and other objects hurled at security forces, who responded with a water cannon and tear gas.

One person was taken to hospital after being struck by police officers.

In Milan, the situation was calmer on Saturday; at least three marches joined together and moved through the streets around the city centre. There were verbal clashes between protesters and some far-right activists.

Nine arrests made

By the end of the day, nine people had been arrested and 87 were reported to the authorities, according to the Department of Public Security. A further 371 people were taken to police stations for checks, including 110 minors and 69 foreign nationals.

In Milan, 30-year-old Youssef Siher was also detained and placed under investigation on suspicion of aggravated incitement to commit a crime. He is alleged to have been behind the "17 October Movement," a group through which thousands of people are said to have shared information about taking part in last weekend's protests.

Meloni praises security operation

In a post on social media on Saturday evening, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised those involved in the efforts to manage the demonstrations.

"The right to demonstrate must always be guaranteed, just as the right of citizens to live in their cities in safety," Meloni said.

"Safety must be guaranteed for everyone. For those who want to protest peacefully, for those who work and for those who want to live in their city without fear. Without leaving room for those who seek only confrontation and violence," she added.