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Italy Deploys Soldiers Amid Planned Protests
· Confirmed
In Short: Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni announced the deployment of 500 additional soldiers to Milan to bolster security amid planned protests, following violent demonstrations last week that saw looting and clashes with police.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni announced the deployment of 500 additional soldiers to Milan to bolster security amid planned protests, following violent demonstrations last week that saw looting and clashes with police. Arabnews (Saudi Arabia), Ksat, The Times of Israel (Israel), and Thestar (Canada) reported that the soldiers will support about 5,000 police and other law enforcement personnel already stationed in the city.
According to Arabnews (Saudi Arabia), Ksat, The Times of Israel (Israel), and Thestar (Canada), the protests in Milan last week involved approximately 2,000 young protesters, many of whom were described as 'naturalized, second-generation Italians' and foreign nationals. The Times of Israel (Israel) and Thestar (Canada) noted that these young protesters made up a large portion of the violent demonstrators.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala expressed support for the deployment of more soldiers, citing concerns about a repeat of last week's violence. Thestar (Canada) reported that Mayor Sala's concerns were echoed by Bertolé, a member of the center-left Democratic Party, who said many young people feel excluded due to social and economic inequalities.
Valter Mazzetti, secretary-general of the Fsp police union, told The Associated Press that while soldiers could provide immediate reinforcements, they would not resolve police staffing shortages. Thestar (Canada) reported that Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in a social media post that the troops lacked key tools available for public-order operations.
Thestar (Canada) and The Times of Israel (Israel) reported that the protests encompass a broad range of issues, including pensions, housing, anti-war movements, education, and corruption. The Times of Israel (Israel) noted that high school and university students, farmers, and truck drivers are leading the nationwide protests.
France24 (France) reported that the 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. The Times of Israel (Israel) and Thestar (Canada) reported that the protests are scheduled for Saturday, October 24, across multiple European cities, from Portugal to Albania.
Arabnews (Saudi Arabia), Ksat, The Times of Israel (Israel), and Thestar (Canada) reported that security measures will extend beyond the city center amid concerns protesters could move into other neighborhoods to evade heavily policed areas. Thestar (Canada) reported that the protests in Italy are part of a broader wave of demonstrations across Europe, including France, where 70,000 police officers and gendarmes were deployed.
The Times of Israel (Israel) and Thestar (Canada) reported that the Italian government's response to the protests includes tougher penalties for minors involved in violent protests. Thestar (Canada) reported that the government's measures are aimed at addressing the rising cost of living and social and economic inequalities.
The Times of Israel (Israel) and Thestar (Canada) reported that the protests are expected to draw tens of thousands of demonstrators, with concerns about potential violence and looting. Thestar (Canada) reported that the government's measures are aimed at preventing a repeat of last week's violent demonstrations.
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.
- “Many young people increasingly lack a sense of belonging and prospects for the future. Part of our society feels excluded, amid social and economic inequalities,” said Bertolé, a member of the center-left Democratic Party.
- 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.
- “I think the images from last week were truly something terrible, especially for the young people, for the students, for the vast majority of the younger generations who want to study, want to make proposals, and do not accept being represented by those who use issues and needs to devastate entire cities,” said Riccardo Ponzio, national president of an Italian far-right student association.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- “I have great respect for the thousands of people who today demonstrated peacefully, including those who took part in the mobilisation called by the CGIL, which also saw the participation of left-wing leaders. Whatever the ideas for which one demonstrates, participation is the foundation of any healthy democracy,” she said.
- 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.
- SA man brought music to Yom Kippur soldiers’ ears Will Israelis in SA fly home to vote?
- 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.
- Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini called the clashes "shameful" and said on RTL 102.5 radio that the cabinet meeting would announce a series of "immediate measures" including the troop deployment.
- 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.
- “Young people … came to the square to smash things, steal and film themselves doing it,” Meloni said.
- 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.
- 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.
Sources
- Arabnewslink
- Breakingnewslink
- Ksatlink
- Republic Worldlink
- The Times of Israellink
- France24link
- Thestarlink
- Europeaninterestlink
- Sajrlink
- Mundoamericalink
- Trtworldlink
- Hjnewslink
- Idahopresslink
- Ynetnewslink
- WarpBeat — background on Italy Deploys Troops as Cost-of-Living Protests Turn Violent link
- WarpBeat — background on Italy Deploys Troops Amid Cost-of-Living Protests link
- CRUX — video link