Violent protests in Italy over cost of living, mirroring events in France - Sarmad

Violent clashes erupted in Italy on Sunday, mirroring events in France during peaceful protests against the rising cost of living.

In the northern Italian city of Milan, masked youths dressed in black threw fireworks and bottles at police in the city center’s Piazza Duomo (Cathedral Square) and set up barricades. Police initially withdrew to await reinforcements.

The clashes, which involved stones and fireworks being thrown at officers, also occurred in other cities, including Turin, Bologna, and Bergamo. In Milan alone, at least four police officers and 20 protesters were injured, and more than 50 youths were arrested, half of them minors, according to the German news agency dpa.

Meanwhile, Paris police announced on Sunday the arrest of 855 people in the French capital’s metropolitan area after groups prone to violence clashed with police and looted shops during a protest march attended by approximately 110,000 people, demonstrating against the rising cost of living and deteriorating conditions in schools.

Protests across France on Saturday saw violent clashes, fires, and looting. Authorities reported that masked protesters targeted public buildings, including town halls and local government offices.

Authorities estimated that around 550,000 people participated in protests nationwide, while organizers put the number of participants at approximately 800,000.