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Italy Deploys 500 Troops to Milan Amid Planned Protests
· Confirmed
In Short: Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni announced a series of measures, including the deployment of an additional 500 soldiers to Milan, to address the anticipated protests and the violence from the previous weekend.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni announced a series of measures, including the deployment of an additional 500 soldiers to Milan, to address the anticipated protests and the violence from the previous weekend.
Last week's protests in Milan involved about 2,000 young protesters, many of whom were second-generation Italians and foreign nationals, according to Milan police.
The protests, scheduled for Saturday, are part of a broader wave of demonstrations across Europe, from Portugal to Albania, fueled by rising costs of living, stagnant wages, and social issues.
Valter Mazzetti, secretary-general of the Fsp police union, told The Associated Press that while soldiers could provide immediate reinforcements, they could not resolve the underlying police staffing shortages.
In addition to the 500 soldiers, about 5,000 police and other law enforcement personnel are expected to be deployed in Milan, with army vehicles and boarded-up luxury stores visible throughout the city.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala expressed support for the deployment of more soldiers, citing concerns about a repeat of last week's violence.
Security measures will extend beyond the city center, with officials concerned that protesters could move into other neighborhoods to evade heavily policed areas.
The government decree also calls for parents to pay for damage caused by minors and makes it easier to prosecute minors over 14.
Defense Minister Guido Crosetto noted that soldiers lacked key tools for public-order operations and were only recently allowed to use plastic restraint ties in areas around train stations.
Protests encompass a broad range of issues, including pensions, housing, anti-war movements, education, and corruption.
High school and university students, farmers, and truck drivers are leading the nationwide protests in Italy, mainly against the rising cost of living.
A cabinet meeting on Tuesday is expected to give the go-ahead to the deployment and approve policing powers for soldiers temporarily supporting law enforcement in the city.
What this adds
The deployment of troops and increased security measures reflect the government's response to the violent protests that occurred last weekend, which left more than 100 police officers injured and caused significant damage to the city’s central shopping district.
The protests in Milan and other European cities are part of a wider trend of demonstrations against rising living costs and social issues, with similar protests occurring in France and other countries.
The government's decision to deploy soldiers and increase penalties for minors involved in protests highlights the severity of the situation and the government's commitment to maintaining order.
Background
Italy sent 500 troops to Milan to maintain security amid protests that turned violent, injuring dozens and damaging property.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the rioting during cost-of-living protests, expressing solidarity with police after clashes in several cities.
What's confirmed
- Premier Giorgia Meloni announced a raft of measures, including sending an additional 500 soldiers to Milan, and tougher penalties for minors, who police said made up a large part of the violent protesters.
- Milan police say last week’s violence and looting involved about 2,000 very young protesters, a large number of whom were “naturalized, second-generation Italians,” alongside foreign nationals.
- While protests in France have claimed most international attention, Milan is among the many other European cities where protests are also scheduled Saturday, from Portugal to Albania.
- Valter Mazzetti, secretary-general of the Fsp police union, told The Associated Press that soldiers could provide immediate reinforcements but not resolve police staffing shortages.
- Army vehicles and boarded-up luxury stores in Milan The 500 soldiers deployed to Milan come in addition to hundreds already stationed there, and will support about 5,000 police and other law enforcement personnel.
- Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala has said he is concerned about a repeat of violence this weekend and expressed support for the deployment of more soldiers.
- Officials said security measures on Saturday would extend beyond the city center amid concerns protesters could move into other neighborhoods to evade heavily policed areas.
- A government decree calls for the deployment of an additional 500 soldiers to Milan through the end of the year, requiring parents to pay for damage caused by minors and making it easier to prosecute minors over 14.
- Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in a social media post that the troops lacked key tools available for public-order operations, and that soldiers were only recently allowed to use plastic restraint ties and only in areas around train stations, not throughout the city.
- Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has announced new security measures in response to violent protests in Milan after weekend riots caused significant damage to the city’s central shopping district.
- On Friday, police carried out raids and searches in several cities, against people suspected of taking part in looting and rioting in last weekend’s protests, the Italian news agency Adnkronos reported.
- MILAN – Soldiers spread out in Milan and luxury boutiques were boarded up in the Italian fashion and finance capital as thousands of protesters launched fresh demonstrations on Saturday, one week after looting and clashes with police.
What's still developing
- European authorities are bracing for fresh demonstrations this weekend across multiple countries after weeks of mass protests and more localized shows of frustration with social ills, ranging from the rising cost of living and stagnant wages to anger directed toward government officials and conflict in the Middle East.
- Around 300 Italian police officers have been deployed to monitor demonstrations and redirect traffic in the capital on Saturday and Sunday, on top of "hundreds" of additional local police taking to the streets.
- Traditionally, 2nd September is celebrated in Ceuta, the 84,000-strong Spanish town on the African coast, as the day Portuguese soldiers claimed the territory in 1415 – a claim that later led to its joining Spain in 1580.
- The protest in Ceuta spilt over on the mainland with around 50,000 in Madrid, and smaller protests were held in more than 200 other municipalities across the country.
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- The French president accuses far-left groups of "trying to overthrow the Republic" Emmanuel Macron has accused far-left groups of "trying to overthrow the Republic" with "seditious acts" and has announced the ban on "non-union" demonstrations, amid fears of a new wave of chaos, looting, and violence in the protests scheduled for October 24.
- Carabinieri officers talk to people in Duomo square, Milan, Italy, a day after rioters clashed with police, looted stores and set property on fire, Monday, Oct.
- Report us France deployed 70,000 police officers and gendarmes across the country on Saturday as mass protests resumed one week after violent riots, widespread looting and attacks on security forces.
- French police patrol the streets of Paris amid renewed protests ( Photo: Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP ) The route of the main Paris demonstration was finalized only after a legal dispute.
- It follows the announcement online of a new round of protests by a newly formed group calling itself the ‘October 17 Movement’, which has been the main driver of demonstrations alongside student federations, grassroots trade unions, and antiwar coalitions.
- The Italian government has sent hundreds of soldiers to the country’s financial hub before anticipated unrest.
- “[The youngest 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.