Italian police have arrested 28 people, including 12 minors, following clashes during cost-of-living protests across several cities.
Tensions continued in central Milan on Sunday after Saturday’s demonstrations, Sky TG24 reported, citing police figures showing 141 law enforcement officers were injured.
Police said 197 people were identified and taken to police stations, while 43 were referred to judicial authorities.
Organised by the Italia in Piazza movement, the protests targeted rising living costs, fuel prices and tax pressures. Police estimated turnout at 5,000 in Milan, 3,000 in Turin, 2,000 in Bologna, 800 in Bergamo and 600 in Brescia.
In Milan, groups threw stones, bottles, firecrackers and barriers at officers, who responded with tear gas and water cannon. Shops in the city centre were damaged and looted, and a Carabinieri vehicle was destroyed.
Police arrested 17 people in the city. Retail association Confcommercio estimated damage to shops and businesses at more than €500,000 ($561,860), according to Sky TG24.
In Turin, officers arrested an adult for resisting police and three minors allegedly carrying Molotov cocktails. A group also entered the Feltrinelli bookstore at Porta Nuova station and threw books onto the floor.
In Bologna, five minors were arrested following clashes near the railway station. Police used tear gas and water cannon after demonstrators threw bottles, stones and barriers.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni expressed solidarity with law enforcement and urged opposition parties to unequivocally condemn the violence, while acknowledging that thousands had protested peacefully.
Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said his League party would resubmit a parliamentary proposal requiring organisers of demonstrations deemed risky to provide financial guarantees to cover potential damage.
Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said protesters’ grievances were understandable, but attacks on officers and extensive damage to the city were unjustifiable.
Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore also condemned the unrest, urging young people to distance themselves from those using demonstrations as a pretext for violence.
