Rome, Oct 25. (dpa/GNA) – Police in Italy have once again deployed in force, after last weekend’s riots, as thousands of people demonstrated in several cities on Saturday.
Some of the protests have seen isolated clashes between demonstrators and police. The demonstrations cover a broad range of issues, including high living costs, high petrol prices and re-armament.
Protests in Milan, Bologna, Turin and RomeIn the northern Italian city of Milan, where serious riots had broken out last weekend, tensions occasionally flared again.
Demonstrators clashed with security forces in the city centre. Police halted the march, using truncheons. Fearing unrest, many luxury shops in particular had been barricaded.
In Bologna, police at times used tear gas and water cannon to prevent a march from reaching the railway station.
In Turin, security forces pushed back demonstrators with shields. In Rome, a largely pro-Palestinian demonstration marched through the historic centre.
Demonstrators also gathered in Naples and Florence.
Last weekend, violent riots broke out mainly in Milan, after initially peaceful protests against high living costs.
In the Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square) and its surroundings, young people, mostly dressed in black and wearing masks, smashed shop windows and looted shops and supermarkets.
To prevent new riots, high security measures now apply. In addition to the police stationed there, 500 elite soldiers have been deployed to Milan.
Drones are flying over the centre for surveillance, railway stations are being checked, mobile patrols have been deployed, and online activity is also being closely monitored. The aim is to detect and stop possible new calls for protests and riots early.
GNA