Protests In Italy: An Attempt Was Made To Storm The Colosseum In Rome

There are soldiers on the streets of Milan.

On Saturday, protests against the high cost of living took place in several major Italian cities—the demonstration in Milan proceeded peacefully thanks to a significant presence of special forces and military personnel, but brief clashes with police occurred in Rome and Turin.

This was reported by the agency AP.

In Milan, thousands of young people marched through the streets, which were patrolled by the military, while high-end boutiques were boarded up. However, by late afternoon, most stores had reopened.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced a series of measures, including the deployment of an additional 500 military personnel to Milan and tougher penalties for minors who, according to police, made up a significant portion of the participants in last week’s violent protests. As a result, police in Milan detained several minors as a preventive measure.

Young people in Milan shouted insults at Meloni and held up banners with slogans such as “No to state lies.” A group of protesters dumped pus in front of the building of the Italian energy regulator and burned a symbolic giant electricity bill.

500 soldiers deployed in Milan joined the hundreds of military personnel already there, providing support to approximately 5,000 police officers and other security personnel. Authorities used drone surveillance, checks at train stations, rapid-response units, and online monitoring to guard against possible calls for violence.

Many stores, particularly high-end boutiques in Milan’s fashion district—including Omega, Tiffany, and Gucci—boarded up their storefronts. The Apple Store also closed and remained shut even after other stores reopened.

Security was also stepped up in Rome, where authorities closed high-end shopping streets to visitors and increased patrols in certain areas. A small number of protesters tried to force their way into the Colosseum but were pushed back by security guards.

Elsewhere, several hundred students held a peaceful demonstration to emphasize that they were not involved in the riots. A separate anti-war march took place in central Rome. The organizers tried to distance themselves from any potential unrest by urging participants not to cover their faces and to keep their hands visible.

However, it was precisely these marchers who briefly clashed with police near Piazza della Repubblica. Ultimately, the protesters retreated when water cannons were used against them.

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