Security forces deploy as Milan braces for another day of protests
The Italian government has deployed 500 soldiers to Milan ahead of protests against rising living costs, following last week's demonstrations that turned violent with looting.
Protests have been called in eight Italian cities on Saturday to demonstrate against Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government and the rising cost of living, a week after demonstrations in Milan spiralled into clashes with police and looting. The government announced the deployment of 500 soldiers to Italy's financial hub in response to last weekend's unrest.
Protest organizers
The demonstrations follow the announcement by a newly formed group calling itself the 'October 17 Movement', which has been the main driver of protests alongside student federations, grassroots trade unions, and antiwar coalitions. The movement has expressed distrust of the government, calling it authoritarian.
Those who deny our future are truly violent. We distrust this government because we see it as authoritarian.
Security measures
In response to last weekend's looting, the government announced new security measures including the deployment of soldiers. Police conducted raids in several cities against people suspected of participating in the violence, with 150 additional raids carried out on Saturday morning in Lombardy.
The October 17 Movement emphasized that many protesters plan to demonstrate peacefully. 'We must be peaceful. If we give [the police] an excuse, they will charge against us,' said a participant identified as E.
Youth involvement
Of the 271 people arrested during last week's protests, 220 were under the age of 18. Many young protesters joined after being added to Telegram groups without understanding the full context of the demonstrations.
Lawyer Michele D'Agostino is defending two demonstrators, aged 21 and 15. The younger one 'didn't even know the reasons behind the protest; he had just seen it on TikTok and decided to check it out with a friend,' D'Agostino told Al Jazeera.
Justice Minister Carlo Nordio announced plans to 'expand the capacity of our youth detention facilities' in response to the mass arrests of minors. Meanwhile, the public prosecutor has blamed social media for misleading young people into participating in what were described as 'insurrectional acts'.
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