Violent Protests Unfold
In Turin, violent confrontations erupted between students and police on Friday during a protest dubbed ‘No Meloni Day’ against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right government. Over 200 students took to the streets, attempting to voice their discontent with the current administration. The situation escalated when protesters broke through police barriers outside the prefecture building, resulting in clashes that injured at least 15 police officers, who required hospital treatment.
Demonstrators’ Anger
During the protest, students expressed their frustrations by launching a homemade device at law enforcement, causing injuries. They also set fire to a puppet symbolizing Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara. The demonstrators displayed banners denouncing government policies with slogans like “Against the government of war, cuts and university reforms,” while also condemning the violence in Gaza, referring to it as “the genocide of the Palestinian people.”
Attacks on Cultural Institutions
The unrest extended beyond traditional protest actions, as the National Museum of Cinema at the Mole Antonelliana reported vandalism, which included defaced walls and a torn Italian flag. Museum officials condemned the violence while reiterating the importance of respecting the right to protest without resorting to aggression against individuals or institutions.
Political Reactions
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the clashes on social media, urging politicians to stop justifying the violence and instead unite in denouncing it. She expressed her sympathy for the injured officers and stressed that the scenes witnessed in Turin were unacceptable. In alignment with her sentiments, Elly Schlein, the Democratic Party secretary, voiced her support for law enforcement, reinforcing that the right to protest should not equate to violent conduct.
Nationwide Protests
Protests also took place in Bologna and Milan, where students demonstrated against Meloni and Valditara. In Bologna, they burned proposed school rule texts, while in Milan, demonstrators vandalized portraits of government officials, splattering them with red paint to symbolize blood. The protests featured chants emphasizing anti-fascism and included Palestinian flags, showcasing the broader context of student grievances against government policies.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Reuters
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