The October 17 Movement has called for demonstrations every Saturday at 3pm in several Italian cities, starting with Milan. The appeal was issued on social media following clashes, looting and damage in the city centre.
According to police sources, the toll stands at 14 law enforcement officers injured and 32 protesters arrested, including 23 minors. A total of 271 people were taken to police headquarters, 220 of them minors. A further 28 have been reported to the authorities.
The Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office has requested the validation of the arrests and pre-trial detention for five young people aged between 18 and 20. The charges, varying by individual, include aggravated resistance to arrest and devastation and looting. The preliminary investigations judge (gip) will now set the dates for questioning.
Meanwhile, Giorgia Meloni has called a security meeting for today, announcing new measures to tackle the violence. Among the options under consideration is an intervention modelled on the so-called Caivano decree. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi is meeting with top police officials and Milan’s police commissioner (questore).
The League (Lega) is proposing preventive detention measures that would also apply to minors, while Forza Italia has suggested holding a Cabinet meeting in Milan. Elly Schlein has warned against allowing the violence to become an excuse for silencing peaceful protests.
