New demonstrations are set for Milan, Rome, Turin and Castel Volturno, with security concerns running high after last weekend’s clashes and destruction in the Lombard capital. Saturday October 24’s protests touch on a range of issues: war, rearmament, the rising cost of living, and migrant repatriation centres.
Adding to the uncertainty is the Movimento 17 ottobre’s decision to change its meeting points. The squares announced in previous days have been cancelled, with new venues to be revealed only shortly before the marches begin, scheduled for 2:30pm.
In Milan, uncertainty still surrounds Piazza Duomo, where social media calls are circulating for a 3pm gathering. The day’s programme, however, includes several other events. In the morning, grassroots unions will rally in Piazza Cavour against the rising cost of living, while at 10am a Studenti col Tricolore sit-in is planned in Piazza XXV Aprile. In the afternoon, a pro-Palestine demonstration will take place in Piazza Leonardo da Vinci.
Rome also faces a day packed with events. At 10am, Gioventù Nazionale will hold a march setting off from Piazza della Libertà and ending in Piazza Risorgimento.
At 2pm, the national demonstration “Fuori l’Italia dalla guerra” (“Italy Out of the War”) will depart from Piazza della Repubblica. Meanwhile, the meeting points for those joining Movimento 17 ottobre’s events have changed: Circo Massimo, initially indicated as the gathering point, is no longer the planned venue.
