Tens of thousands of students and trade unionists took to the streets in dozens of Italian cities on Friday, protesting soaring living costs, demanding more investment in education and calling for an end to the wars in the Middle East.
The hard-right government stepped up security amid unrest seen in Italy and other European countries in recent weeks. Police were out in force, with extra protection around the Colosseum in Rome and Milan’s cathedral. A few skirmishes between protesters and riot police broke out at the start of a march in Turin, while rallies were also held in Bologna and Genoa.
The USB trade union called a general strike that drew truck drivers, taxi drivers and farmers. Recent rallies have demanded an end to higher fuel prices and rising defence spending.
Unions in Italy, France, Greece, Spain, Turkiye and Morocco also issued a joint call for an end to the wars in the Middle East, including in Gaza, and to “the militarisation of ports.” “Dockworkers do not work for war!” the statement said.
Last week, the government agreed a 175 million euro ($195 million) aid package for truck drivers, farmers and fishermen hit by fuel prices linked to the war in the Middle East.
