Rome (Italy): Protesters briefly forced their way into Rome’s iconic Colosseum during widespread demonstrations across major Italian cities, with nine people arrested nationwide.
According to Euronews, the incident occurred when a small group separated from a larger march along Via Cavour in Rome and headed towards the Flavian Amphitheatre. Once inside, demonstrators held up placards and chanted slogans before security personnel escorted them out, allowing the main march to continue through the capital.
The incident was part of a larger wave of mostly peaceful nationwide protests over multiple grievances, including the soaring cost of living, policies of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration, and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
Thousands gathered across Italy’s major urban centres. In Florence, Turin, Milan and Rome, demonstrators formed small groups in different areas before converging, repeatedly attempting to reach city centres despite being blocked by security forces, Euronews reported.
Authorities reported that nine individuals were arrested nationwide, 87 were reported to law enforcement, and 371 people, including 110 minors and 69 foreign nationals, were taken to police stations for background checks, Euronews reported, citing the Department of Public Security.
Friction was reported in several locations towards the evening. In Rome, social media footage showed a young demonstrator standing in front of a moving police water cannon truck, which advanced a short distance before officers intervened and forcibly dragged him away.
In Florence, tensions rose near the Santa Trìnita bridge as marchers attempted to breach a police blockade, prompting security forces to maintain their line and use batons to push back the crowd.
In Bologna, security forces deployed tear gas and water cannons after protesters hurled bottles and other objects when their march was prevented from continuing towards Via Marconi and Via Reno. One individual was hospitalised after being struck by police officers during the events, Euronews reported.
In Milan, the situation remained calmer as at least three marches merged near the city centre, although verbal altercations broke out between demonstrators and far-right activists.
Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Saturday commended law enforcement personnel for maintaining public order and protecting the right to peaceful protest, despite attempts by “violent individuals” to disrupt demonstrations across the country.
Taking to X, Meloni praised police forces and Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, prefects and questors for coordinating security operations.
“I want to thank the women and men of the Law Enforcement Agencies who, even today, in Italy’s squares, have worked to ensure the safety of citizens and the right to peaceful demonstration, despite the attempts by some violent individuals to provoke clashes and disorder,” Meloni wrote.
She added, “A thank you to the Minister of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, to the prefects, to the questors, and to all those who have coordinated and managed public order operations. The right to demonstrate must always be guaranteed, just as the right of citizens to live their cities in safety must be.”
Meloni said recent measures approved by the Council of Ministers aim to provide authorities with stronger tools to curb violence and maintain public security.
“It is in this direction that the measures approved in recent days by the Council of Ministers also go: to give the State more effective tools to prevent violence and prevent criminals and troublemakers from setting entire cities ablaze. Because safety must be guaranteed to everyone. To those who want to demonstrate peacefully, to those who work, and to those who want to live in their city without fear. Without leaving room for those who seek only confrontation and violence,” the Italian Prime Minister stated.
Meanwhile, the Embassy of India in Italy issued an advisory on Monday for Indian nationals across the country, advising them to remain vigilant and avoid crowded areas amid ongoing protests and demonstrations.
