Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Italy on Friday as workers and students staged nationwide protests demanding higher wages, improved public services and measures to address the rising cost of living.
The demonstrations, which also opposed increased military spending, followed a 24-hour general strike called by grassroots union Unione Sindacale di Base.
Protests were organised in more than 40 cities across the country.
The largely peaceful demonstrations came weeks after violent clashes between protesters and police in which shops were looted and properties vandalised. However, tensions resurfaced in some locations during Friday’s protests.
In Turin, police deployed water cannon to disperse students and left-wing activists who approached security barriers protecting the prefecture building.
In Rome, a large crowd marched near the Colosseum, with some protesters announcing plans to pitch tents and remain in the area throughout the weekend.
Some demonstrators also blocked roads with rubbish bins and set them on fire.
Later in the evening, police used water cannon to disperse protesters attempting to march towards parliament.
Italian news agency ANSA reported that eight people were detained after repeatedly attempting to breach police barricades.
In Milan, demonstrators marched along the city’s ring road before concluding their protest outside the Politecnico di Milano university. Some participants carried flares and set objects ablaze.
Meanwhile, about 15,000 port workers, students and other demonstrators gathered at the port of Genoa to protest against the use of ports for arms shipments and draw attention to the deaths of seafarers in conflicts stretching from the Gulf to the Black Sea.
The Genoa demonstration formed part of similar protests held across Europe and other regions against arms shipments and military activities.
Italy’s protests are part of a wider wave of demonstrations across European countries, including France, Spain, Belgium and Albania, fuelled by growing concerns over the cost of living.
